■Ill 


fill 


MB 


Hi 


■HHH 

■hHbL 


•  ; 


':!:::•■.! 


;i  :':r    •'■;.:. 


M 


as    WWm 

1  -.•.:  •-;•.,- 


■SITY  OF 
J  OLINA 


School  of  Library 
Science 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 

illinium 

1 0003058227 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://www.archive.org/details/elsiesmotherhoodOOfinl 


^■^    -      •■-^■-^r^ ... 


ELSIE'S 
MOTHERHOOD 


A  SEQJJEL  TO 

99  ELSIE'S  WOMANHOOD 

BY 

MARTHA  FINLEY 


'Sweet  is  the  image  of  the  brooding  dove  I 
Holy  as  Heaven  a  mother's  tender  love ! 
The  love  of  many  prayers  and  many  tears, 
Which  changes  not  with  dim  declining  years— 
The  only  love  which,  on  this  teeming  earth, 
Asks  no  return  for  passion's  wayward  birth." 

~Mrs.  Norton 


NEW  YORK 

DODD,  MEAD  AND  COMPANY 

Publishers 


Copyright,  lSffi, 

BY 

OODD,  MEAD  &  COMPANY, 

Copyright,  1904, 
By  DODD,  MEAD  &  COMPANY, 


PREFACE. 


In  compliance  with  the  expressed  desire  of  many 
of  Elsie's  friends  and  admirers,  the  story  of  her 
life  is  continued  in  this,  the  fifth  volume  of  the 
series. 

When  about  to  undertake  its  preparation  the 
suggestion  was  made  to  the  author  that  to  bring  in 
the  doings  of  the  Ku  Klux  would  add  interest  to  the 
story  and  at  the  same  time  give  a  truer  picture  of 
life  in  the  South  during  the  years  1867-68,  in  which 
its  events  take  place. 

The  published  reports  of  the  Congressional  Com- 
mittee of  Investigation  were  resorted  to  as  the  most 
reliable  source  of  information,  diligently  examined, 
and  care  taken  not  to  go  beyond  the  facts  there 
given  as  regards  the  proceedings  of  the  Klan,  the 
clemency  and  paternal  acts  of  the  Government,  or 
the  kindly,  fraternal  feelings  and  deeds  of  the  people 
of  the  North  toward  their  impoverished  and  suffer- 
ing brethren  of  the  South. 

These  things  have  become  matters  of  history: 
vice  and  crime  should  be  condemned  wherever 
found;  and  naught  has  been  set  down  in  malice;  for 

iii 

696705 


iv  PREFACE. 

the  author  has  a  warm  love  for  the  South  as  part 
and  parcel  of  the  dear  land  of  her  birth. 

May  this  child  of  her  brain  give  pain  to  none, 
but  prove  pleasant  and  profitable  to  all  who  peruse 
its  pages,  and  especially  helpful  to  young  parents. 

M.  F. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Meantime  a  smiling  offspring  rises  round, 
And  mingles  both  their  graces.    By  degrees 
The  human  blossom  blows,  and  every  day, 
Soft  as  it  rolls  along,  shows  some  new  charm, 
The  father's  lustre,  and  the  mother's  bloom. 

— Thomson's  Seasons. 

"  Mamma!  Papa  too! "  It  was  a  glad  shout  of  a 
chorus  of  young  voices  as  four  pairs  of  little  feet 
came  pattering  up  the  avenue  and  into  the  veranda; 
then  as  many  ruby  lips  were  held  up  for  the  morning 
kiss  from  the  children's  dearly  loved  father. 

They  had  already  had  their  half  hour  with 
mamma,  which  made  so  sweet  a  beginning  of  each 
day,  yet  she  too  must  have  a  liberal  share  of  the 
eagerly  bestowed  caresses;  while  Bruno,  a  great 
Newfoundland,  the  pet,  playfellow,  and  guardian  of 
the  little  flock,  testified  his  delight  in  the  scene  by 
leaping  about  among  them,  fawning  upon  one  and 
another,  wagging  his  tail,  and  uttering  again  and 
again  a  short,  joyous  bark. 

Then  followed  a  merry  romp,  cut  short  by  the  ring- 
ing of  the  breakfast  bell,  when  all  trooped  into  the 


2  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

house,  Harold  riding  on  papa's  shoulder,  mamma 
following  with  Elsie,  Eddie,  and  Vi,  while  Dinah, 
with  Baby  Herbert  in  her  arms,  brought  up  the 
rear.  ' 

The  children  had  been  very  gay,  full  of  laughter 
and  sweet  innocent  prattle,  but  a  sudden  hush  fell 
upon  them  when  seated  about  the  table  in  the 
bright,  cheerful  breakfast  parlor;  little  hands  were 
meekly  folded  and  each  young  head  bent  reverently 
over  the  plate,  while,  in  a  few  simple  words  which 
all  could  understand,  their  father  gave  God  thanks 
for  their  food  and  asked  his  blessing  upon  it. 

The  Ion  children  were  never  rude  even  in  their 
play,  and  their  table  manners  were  almost  perfect; 
made  the  constant  companions  of  cultivated,  refined 
parents — whose  politeness,  springing  from  genuine 
unselfishness,  was  never  laid  aside,  but  shown  on  all 
occasions  and  to  rich  and  poor,  old  and  young  alike 
— and  governed  with  a  wise  mixture  of  indulgence 
and  restraint,  mildness  and  firmness,  they  imitated 
the  copies  set  before  them  and  were  seldom  other 
than  gentle  and  amiable  in  their  deportment,  not 
only  toward  their  superiors,  but  to  equals  and  in- 
feriors also. 

They  were  never  told  that  "children  should  be 
seen  and  not  heard,"  but  when  no  guests  were  pres- 
ent were  allowed  to  talk  in  moderation;  a  gentle 
word  or  look  of  reproof  from  papa  or  mamma  being 
sufficient  to  check  any  tendency  to  boisterousness 
or  undue  loquacity. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  3 

/ 

"I  think  we  should  celebrate  this  anniversary* 
Elsie,"  remarked  Mr.  Travilla,  stirring  his  coffee 
and  gazing  with  fond  admiration  into  the  sweet 
face  at  the  opposite  end  of  the  table. 

"  Yes,  sir,  though  we  are  rather  late  in  thinking 
of  it,"  she  answered  smilingly,  the  rose  deepening 
slightly  on  her  cheek,  as  delicately  rounded  and 
tinted  as  it  had  been  ten  years  ago. 

Little  Elsie  looked  up  inquiringly.  "  What  is  it, 
papa?     I  do  not  remember." 

"  Do  you  not?  Ten  years  ago  to-day  there  was  a 
grand  wedding  at  the  Oaks,  and  your  mamma  and  I 
were  there." 

"I  too?"  asked  Eddie. 

"Yes,  course,  Eddie,"  spoke  up  five-year-old 
Violet,  "  grandpa  would  'vite  you  and  all  of  us;  and 
I  brieve  I  'member  a  little  about  it." 

"Me  too,"  piped  the  baby  voice  of  Harold,  "me 
sat  on  papa's  knee." 

There  was  a  general  laugh,  the  two  little  prattlers 
joining  in  right  merrily. 

"I  really  don't  remember  that  part  of  it, 
Harold,"  said  papa,  while  wee  Elsie — as  she  was 
often  called  by  way  of  distinguishing  her  from 
mamma,  for  whom  she  was  named — shook  her  curly 
head  at  him  with  a  merry  "  Oh,  you  dear  little 
rogue,  you  don't  know  what  you  are  talking  about; " 
and  mamma  remarked,  "Vi  has  perhaps  a  slight 
recollection  of  May  Allison's  wedding." 

"But  this  one  at  the  Oaks  must  have  been  be- 


4  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

fore  I  was  born/'  said  Elsie,  "  because  you  said  it 
was  ten  years  ago,  and  I'm  only  nine.  Oh,  mamma, 
was  it  your  wedding?  " 

"  Yes,  daughter.  Shall  we  invite  our  friends  for 
this  evening,  Edward?  " 

"Yes,  wife;  suppose  we  make  it  a  family  party, 
inviting  only  relatives,  connections,  and  very  inti- 
mate friends." 

After  a  little  more  discussion  it  was  decided  they 
would  do  so;  also  that  the  children  should  have  a 
full  holiday,  and  while  their  mother  was  giving 
orders  and  overseeing  the  necessary  preparations 
for  the  entertainment,  papa  should  take  them  all 
in  the  roomy  family  carriage  and  drive  over  to  the 
Oaks,  Eoselands,  Ashlands,  and  Pinegrove  to  give 
the  invitations.  Beside  these  near  friends  only  the 
minister  and  his  wife  were  to  be  asked;  but  as  Ade- 
laide and  her  family  were  at  this  time  paying  a  visit 
to  Eoselands,  and  Lucy  Eoss  was  doing  the  same  at 
her  old  home,  and  all  the  younger  generation  except 
the  mere  babies  were  to  be  included  in  the  invita- 
tion, should  all  accept  it  would  be  by  no  means  a 
small  assemblage. 

Early  hours  were  named  for  the  sake  of  the  little 
ones;  guests  to  come  at  six,  refreshments  to  be 
served  at  eight,  and  the  Ion  children,  if  each  would 
take  a  nap  in  the  afternoon,  to  be  allowed  to  stay  up 
till  nine. 

How  delighted  they  were!  how  the  little  eyes 
danced  and  sparkled,  and  how  eagerly  they  engaged 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  5 

to  fulfil  the  conditions,  and  not  to  fret  or  look 
cross  when  summoned  at  nine,  to  leave  the  drawing- 
room  and  be  put  to  bed. 

"  Oh,  mamma,  won't  you  wear  your  wedding 
dress?"  cried  little  Elsie;  "do,  dear  mamma,  so 
that  we  may  all  see  just  how  you  looked  when  you 
were  married." 

Elsie  smiled.  "  You  forget,  daughter,  that  I  am 
ten  years  older  now,  and  the  face  cannot  be  quite 
the  same." 

"  The  years  have  robbed  it  of  none  of  its  beauty," 
said  Mr.  Travilla. 

u  Ah,  love  is  blind,"  she  returned  with  a  blush 
and  smile  as  charming  as  were  those  of  her  girl- 
hood's days.  "  And  the  dress  is  quite  out  of 
date." 

"No  matter  for  that.  It  would  gratify  me  as 
well  as  the  children  to  see  you  in  it." 

"  Then  it  shall  be  worn,  if  it  fits  or  can  be  altered 
in  season." 

"  Veil  and  all,  mamma,"  pleaded  Elsie,  "  it  is  so 
beautiful — Mammy  showed  it  to  me  only  the  other 
day  and  told  me  you  looked  so,  so  lovely;  and  she 
will  put  the  orange  blossoms  in  your  hair  and  on 
your  dress  just  as  they  were  that  night;  for  she  re- 
members all  about  it." 

The  children,  ready  dressed  for  their  drive,  were 
gathered  in  a  merry  group  on  the  veranda,  Eddie 
astride  of  Bruno,  waiting  for  papa  and  the  carriage, 
when  a  horse  came  cantering  up  the  avenue,  and 


6  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Mr.  Horace  Dinsmore  alighted  and  stepped  into 
their  midst. 

"  Oh,  grandpa,  what  you  turn  for?  "  cried  Harold 
in  a  tone  of  disappointment.  "  We  was  dus  doin'  to 
'vite  yon! " 

« Indeed!" 

u  Yes,  grandpa,  it's  a  \ersary  to-day,"  explained 
Vi. 

u  And  mamma's  going  to  be  married  over  again," 
said  Eddie. 

"  No,  no;  only  to  have  a  party  and  wear  her  wed- 
ding dress,"  corrected  Elsie. 

"  Papa,  good-morning,"  cried  their  mother,  com- 
ing swiftly  through  the  hall,  "  I'm  so  glad,  always 
so  glad  to  see  you."    . 

"  I  know  it,"  he  said,  pressing  a  fatherly  kiss  on 
the  sweet  lips,  then  holding  her  off  for  an  instant 
to  gaze  fondly  into  the  fair  face.  "And  it  is  ten 
years  to-day  since  I  gave  Travilla  a  share  in  my 
treasure.  I  was  thinking  of  it  as  I  rode  over,  and 
that  you  should  celebrate  this  anniversary  at  your 
father's  house." 

"  No,  no,  Dinsmore,  you  must  be  our  guest,"  said 
Travilla,  coming  out  and  shaking  hands  cordially 
with  his  old  friend.  "We  have  it  all  arranged, — 
a  family  gathering,  and  Elsie  to  gratify  us  by  wear- 
ing her  bridal  robes.  Do  you  not  agree  with  me 
that  she  would  make  as  lovely  a  bride  to-day  as  she 
did  ten  years  ago?" 

"  Quite.     I  relinquish  my  plans  for  yours;  and 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  7 

do  not  let  me  detain  you  and  these  eager  chil- 
dren." 

"  I  thank  you:  I  will  go  then,  as  the  invitations 
will  be  late  enough  with  all  the  haste  we  can  make." 

The  carriage  was  at  the  door,  and  in  a  trice 
grandpa  and  papa  had  helped  the  little  ones  in:  not 
even  Baby  Herbert  was  left  behind,  but  seated  on 
his  mammy's  lap  crowed  and  laughed  as  merrily  as 
the  rest. 

"Ah,  mamma,  you  come  too! "  pleaded  the  little 
voices,  as  their  father  took  his  place  beside  them. 
"  Can't  mammy  and  Aunt  Dicey  and  the  rest  know 
what  to  do  without  you  to  tell  them?" 

"Not  this  time,  dears;  and  you  know  I  must 
make  haste  to  try  on  the  dress,  to  see  if  it  fits." 

"  Oh,  yes,  mamma! "  and  throwing  a  shower  of 
kisses,  they  drove  off. 

"  A  carriage  load  of  precious  jewels,"  Elsie  said, 
looking  after  it  as  it  rolled  away:  "how  the  ten 
years  have  added  to  my  wealth,  papa." 

She  stood  by  his  side,  her  hand  on  his  arm,  and 
the  soft  sweet  eyes  lifted  to  his  were  full  of  a  con- 
tent and  gladness  beyond  the  power  of  words  to 
express. 

"  I  thank  God  every  day  for  my  darling's  happi- 
ness," he  said  low  and  tenderly,  and  softly  smooth- 
ing her  shining  hair. 

"  Ah,  it  is  very  great,  and  my  father's  dear  love 
forms  no  small  part  of  it.  But  come  in,  papa,  I 
want  to  consult  you  about  one  or  two  little  matters; 


B  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Edward  and  I  rely  very  much  upon  your  taste  and 
judgment." 

"To  Eoselands  first,"  was  Mr.  Travilla's  order 
to  the  coachman. 

The  old  home  of  the  Dinsmores,  though  shorn 
of  the  glory  of  its  grand  old  trees,  was  again  a 
beautiful  place:  the  new  house  was  in  every  respect 
a  finer  one  than  its  predecessor,  of  a  higher  style 
of  architecture,  more  conveniently  arranged,  more 
tastefully  and  handsomely  furnished;  lawns,  gar- 
dens, and  fields  had  become  neat  and  trim  as  in  the 
days  before  the  war,  and  a  double  row  of  young, 
thrifty  trees  bordered  the  avenue. 

Old  Mr.  Dinsmore  now  resided  there  and  gave  a 
home  to  his  two  widowed  and  impoverished  daugh- 
ters— Mrs.  Louise  Conly,  and  Mrs.  Enna  Johnson 
— and  their  families. 

These  two  aunts  loved  Elsie  no  better  than  in 
earlier  years:  it  was  gall  and  wormwood  to  them  to 
know  that  they  owed  all  these  comforts  to  her 
generosity;  nor  could  they  forgive  her  that  she  was 
more  wealthy,  beautiful,  lovely,  and  beloved  than 
themselves.  Enna  was  the  more  bitter  and  out- 
spoken of  the  two,  but  even  Louise  seldom  treated 
her  niece  to  anything  better  than  the  most  distant 
and  frigid  politeness. 

In  a  truly  Christian  spirit  Elsie  returned  them 
pity  and  compassion,  because  of  their  widowhood 
and  straitened  circumstances,  invited  them  to  her 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  9 

house,  and  when  they  came  received  them  with  kind- 
ness and  cordiality. 

Her  grandfather  had  grown  very  fond  of  her  and 
her  children,  was  often  at  Ion,  and  for  his  sake  she 
occasionally  visited  Roselands.  Adelaide's  presence 
had  drawn  her  there  more  frequently  of  late.  The 
invitation  Mr.  Travilla  carried  was  to  the  grand- 
father, three  aunts,  and  all  their  children. 

Adelaide  and  Enna  were  in  the  drawing-room 
when  the  Ion  carriage  drew  up  at  the  door. 

"  There's  Travilla,  the  old  scalawag:  how  I  hate 
him!  Elsie  too,  I  presume,"  exclaimed  the  latter, 
glancing  from  the  window;  "  I'll  leave  you  to  enter- 
tain them,"  and  she  hastily  left  the  room. 

Adelaide  flashed  an  indignant  look  after  her,  and 
hurried  out  to  meet  and  welcome  the  callers.  Mr. 
Travilla  had  alighted  and  was  coming  up  the  steps 
of  the  veranda. 

"  How  d'ye  do.  I'm  very  glad  to  see  you,"  cried 
Adelaide,  extending  her  hand,  "but  where  is 
Elsie?" 

"Left  at  home  for  once,"  he  answered  gayly, 
"  but  I  come  this  morning  merely  as  her  ladyship's 
messenger." 

"  But  won't  you  come  in;  you  and  the  children?  " 

"Thanks,  no,  if  you  will  permit  me  just  to  de- 
liver my  message  and  go;  for  I  am  in  haste." 

Mrs.  Allison  accepted  the  invitation  for  herself 
and  children  with  evident  pleasure,  engaged  that 
her  sisters  would  do  the  same;  then  went  to  the  car* 


10  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

riage  window  for  a  moment's  chat  with  the  little 
ones,  each  of  whom  held  a  large  place  in  her  warm 
heart.  "  Aunt  Addie,"  said  Elsie  in  an  undertone, 
"mamma's  going  to  wear  her  wedding  dress  to- 
night, veil  and  all." 

"Is  she?  why  that's  an  excellent  idea.  But  don't 
tell  it  anywhere  else  that  you  go;  it  will  be  such 
a  nice  surprise  to  the  rest  if  we  can  keep  it  a 
secret." 

"That  was  a  good  suggestion  of  Aunt  Addie's," 
Mr.  Travilla  remarked  as  they  drove  down  the 
avenue.  "  Suppose  we  carry  it  out.  How  many  of 
you  can  refrain  from  telling  what  mamma  is  to  wear 
to-night?  how  many  can  I  trust  to  keep  a  secret?" 

"  All  of  us,  papa!  "  "  Me,  papa,  me,  I  won't  tell," 
cried  the  little  voices  in  chorus. 

"  Yes,  I  believe  I  can  trust  you  all,"  he  answered 
in  his  bright  cheery  way.  "  Now  on  to  the  Oaks, 
Solon,  then  to  Pinegrove,  Springbrook,  and  Ash- 
lands.  That  will  be  the  last  place,  children,  and 
as  our  hurry  will  then  be  over,  you  shall  get  out  of 
the  carriage  and  have  a  little  time  to  rest  before  we 
start  for  home." 

Ee-entering  the  house  Mrs.  Allison  went  to  the 
family  sitting-room,  where  she  found  both  her 
sisters  and  several  of  the  young  members  of  the 
household.  "So  they  have  asked  for  us?"  ex- 
claimed Louise  in  a  tone  of  vexation,  "  at  such  an 
unreasonable  hour  too.  Well,"  with  a  sigh  of 
resignation,  "  I  suppose  we  must  show  ourselves  or 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  11 

papa  will  be  displeased:  so  wonderfully  fond  of  Elsie 
as  he  has  grown  of  late." 

"As  well  he  may,"  returned  Adelaide  pointedly; 
*  but  Elsie  is  not  here  nor  has  any  one  inquired  for 
you." 

"No,  I  presume  not,"  interrupted  Enna  with  a 
sneer;  "we  are  not  worth  inquiring  for." 

Indignation  kept  Adelaide  silent  for  a  moment, 
she  was  sorely  tempted  to  administer  a  severe  and 
cutting  rebuke.  But  Enna  was  no  longer  a  child, 
and  controlling  herself  she  calmly  delivered  Mr. 
Travilla's  message. 

"  Oh,  delightful!  Cousin  Elsie  always  does  give 
such  splendid  parties,  such  elegant  refreshments! " 
cried  Virginia  and  Isadore  Conly,  girls  of  ten  and 
twelve.  "Mamma,  you'll  never  think  of  declin- 
ing?" 

"No,  your  grandfather  wouldn't  like  it,"  said 
Louise,  as  anxious  as  her  daughters  to  enjoy  the 
entertainment,  yet  glad  to  save  her  pride,  by  put- 
ting her  acceptance  on  the  score  of  pleasing  her 
father. 

"  And  you'll  go  too,  and  take  us,  mamma,  won't 
you?  "  anxiously  queried  Molly  Percival,  who  was 
between  her  cousins  in  age. 

"  Of  course  I'll  go;  we  all  want  our  share  of  the 
good  things,  and  the  pleasure  of  seeing  and  being 
seen,"  answered  Enna,  scorning  Louise's  subter- 
fuge; "  and  if  you  and  Dick  will  promise  to  make 
me  no  trouble,  I'll  take  you  along.    But  Bob  and 


12  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Betty  may  stay  at  home,  Fm  not  going  to  be  both- 
ered with  them, — babies  of  five  and  three.  But 
what  shall  we  wear,  Ln?  I  do  say  it's  real  mean  in 
them  to  give  us  so  short  a  notice.  But  of  course 
Elsie  enjoys  making  me  feel  my  changed  circum- 
stances. Fve  no  such  stock  of  jewels,  silks,  and 
laces  as  she,  nor  the  full  purse  that  makes  it  an 
easy  matter  for  her  to  order  a  fresh  supply  at  a 
moment's  warning." 

"  You  have  all,  and  more  than  the  occasion  calls 
for,"  remarked  Adelaide  quietly;  "it  is  to  be  only 
a  family  gathering." 


CHAPTEK  II. 

Though  fools  spurn  Hymen's  gentle  powers, 

We,  who  improve  his  golden  hours, 

By  sweet  experience  know 

That  marriage,  rightly  understood, 

Gives  to  the  tender  and  the  good 

A  paradise  below. 

-^Cotton. 

Mk.  Allison  had  fully  kept  his  promise  to  So- 
phie, and  Ashlands  was  again  the  fine  old  place  it 
had  been  prior  to  the  war.  The  family,  consisting 
of  the  elder  Mrs.  Carrington,  a  young  man  named 
George  Boyd,  a  nephew  of  hers  who  had  taken 
charge  of  the  plantation,  Sophie  and  her  four  chil- 
dren, had  now  been  in  possession  for  over  a  year. 

Sophie,  still  an  almost  inconsolable  mourner  for 
the  husband  of  her  youth,  lived  a  very  retired  life, 
devoting  herself  to  his  mother  and  his  orphaned 
little  ones. 

Mrs.  Eoss,  expecting  to  spend  the  fall  and  winter 
with  them,  had  brought  all  her  children  and  a 
governess,  Miss  Fisk,  who  undertook  the  tuition 
of  the  little  Carringtons  also  during  her  stay  at 
Ashlands,  thus  leaving  the  mothers  more  at  liberty 
for  the  enjoyment  of  each  other's  society, 

13 


14  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

It  was  in  the  midst  of  school-hours  that  the  Ion 
carriage  came  driving  up  the  avenue,  and  Philip 
Boss,  lifting  his  head  from  the  slate  over  which 
he  had  been  bending  for  the  last  half  hour,  rose 
hastily,  threw  down  his  pencil  and  hurried  from 
the  room,  paying  no  attention  to  Miss  Fisk's  query, 
u  Where  are  you  going,  Philip?  "  or  her  command, 
"  Come  back  instantly:  it  is  quite  contrary  to  rules 
for  pupils  to  leave  the  school-room  during  the 
hours  of  recitation,  without  permission."  Indeed 
he  had  reached  the  foot  of  the  staircase  before  the 
last  word  had  left  her  lips;  she  being  very  slow  and 
precise  in  speech  and  action,  while  his  movements 
were  of  the  quickest. 

"What  now  is  to  be  done  in  this  emergency? " 
soliloquized  the  governess,  unconsciously  thinking 
aloud.  "  Miss  Gertrude  Ross,"  turning  to  a  girl  of 
nine  whose  merry  blue  eyes  were  twinkling  with 
fun,  "  follow  your  brother  at  once  and  inform  him 
that  I  cannot  permit  any  such  act  of  insubordina- 
tion; and  he  must  return  instantly  to  the  perform- 
ance of  his  duties." 

"Yes,  ma'am,"  and  Gertrude  vanished;  glad 
enough  of  the  opportunity  to  see  for  herself  who 
were  the  new  arrivals.  "Phil,"  she  said,  entering 
the  drawing-room  where  the  guests  were  already 
seated,  "  Miss  Fisk  says  you're  an  insubordination 
and  must  come  back  instantly." 

"  Gertrude,"  said  her  mother,  laughing,  "  come 
and  speak  to  Mr.  Travilla  and  your  little  friends. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  15 

Why,  yes,  Phil,  to  be  sure;  how  came  you  here  when 
you  ought  to  be  at  your  lessons  ?" 

"Because  I  wanted  to  see  Elsie  Travilla,"  he 
answered  nonchalantly. 

"  Yes,  but  you  should  have  asked  for  permission. 
I  ought  to  send  you  back." 

"But  you  won't,  ma,  you  know  that  as  well  as 
I  do.    I'll  not  go  back  a  step  while  Elsie  stays." 

"  Well,  well,  it  seems  you  are  bound  to  have  your 
own  way,  as  usual,"  Lucy  answered,  half  laughing, 
half  sighing,  then  resumed  her  talk  with  Mr.  Tra- 
villa. 

Seeing  that  the  little  Travillas  had  listened  to 
this  colloquy  in  blank  amazement,  she  felt  much 
mortified  at  Phil's  behavior,  and  on  receiving  the 
invitation  threatened  to  leave  him  at  home  as  a 
punishment.  But  this  only  made  matters  worse: 
he  insisted  that  go  he  would,  and  if  she  refused  per- 
mission he  should  never,  never  love  her  again  as 
long  as  he  lived.    And  she  weakly  yielded. 

"Lucy,"  said  her  mother,  when  the  guests  were 
gone,  and  the  children  had  left  the  room,  "  you  are 
ruining  that  boy." 

"Well,  I  don't  see  how  I  can  help  it,  mamma; 
how  could  I  bear  to  lose  his  affection?  " 

"You  are  taking  the  very  course  to  bring  that 
about;  it  is  the  weakly  indulged,  not  the  wisely 
controlled,  children  who  lose,  first,  respect,  and  then 
affection  for  their  parents.  Look  at  Elsie's  little 
family,  for  instance;  where  you  can  find  children 


16  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

ruled  with  a  firmer  hand,  or  more  devotedly  attached 
to  their  parents  ?  " 

Eddie  was  at  that  moment  saying  to  his  father, 
"Papa,  isn't  Phil  Boss  a  very,  very  naughty  boy, 
to  be  so  saucy  and  disobedient  to  his  mamma?  " 

"My  son,"  answered  Mr.  Travilla  with  gentle 
gravity,  "  when  you  have  corrected  all  Eddie  Tra- 
villa's  faults  it  will  be  time  enough  to  attend  to 
those  of  others."  And  the  child  hung  his  head  and 
blushed  for  shame. 

It  was  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Horace  Dinsmore  who  did 
the  honors  at  Ion  early  in  the  evening,  receiving 
and  welcoming  each  bevy  of  guests,  and  replying 
to  the  oft-repeated  inquiry  for  the  master  and  mis- 
tress of  the  establishment,  that  they  would  make 
their  appearance  shortly. 

Elsie's  children,  most  sweetly  and  becomingly 
dressed,  had  gathered  about  "Aunt  Rosie,"  in  a 
corner  of  the  drawing-room,  and  seemed  to  be  wait- 
ing with  a  sort  of  intense  but  quite  eagerness  for 
the  coming  of  some  expected  event. 

At  length  every  invited  guest  had  arrived.  All 
being  so  thoroughly  acquainted,  nearly  all  related, 
there  was  an  entire  absence  of  stiffness  and  con- 
straint, and  much  lively  chat  had  been  carried  on; 
but  a  sudden  hush  fell  upon  them,  and  every  eye 
turned  towards  the  doors  opening  into  the  hall,  ex- 
pecting— they  knew  not  what. 

There  were  soft  foot-falls,  a  slight  rustle  of  silk, 
and  Adelaide  entered,  followed  by  Mr.  Travilla  with 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  If 

Elsie  on  his  arm,  in  bridal  attire.  The  shimmering 
satin,  rich,  soft  lace,  and  orange  blossoms  became 
her  well;  and  never,  even  on  that  memorable  night 
ten  years  ago,  had  she  looked  lovelier  or  more  bride- 
like; never  had  her  husband  bent  a  prouder,  fonder 
look  upon  her  fair  face  than  now,  as  he  led  her  to 
the  centre  of  the  room,  where  they  paused  in  front 
of  their  pastor. 

A  low  murmur  of  surprise  and  delight  ran  round 
the  room,  but  was  suddenly  stilled,  as  the  venerable 
man  rose  and  began  to  speak. 

"  Ten  years  ago  to-night,  dear  friends,  I  united 
you  in  marriage.  Edward  Travilla,  you  then  vowed 
to  love,  honor,  and  cherish  till  life's  end  the  woman 
whom  you  now  hold  by  the  hand.  Have  you 
repented  of  that  vow?  and  would  you  be  re- 
leased? " 

"Not  for  worlds:  there  has  been  no  repentance, 
but  my  love  has  grown  deeper  and  stronger  day  by 
day." 

"And  you,  Elsie  Dinsmore  Travilla,  also  vowed 
to  love,  honor,  and  obey  the  man  you  hold  by  the 
hand.     Have  you  repented?" 

"Never,  sir;  never  for  one  moment."  The  ac- 
cents were  low,  sweet,  clear,  and  full  of  pleasure. 

"I  pronounce  you  a  faithful  man  and  wife:  and 
may  God,  in  his  good  providence,  grant  you  many 
returns  of  this  happy  anniversary." 

Old  Mr.  Dinsmore  stepped  up,  kissed  the  bride 
and  shook  hands  with  the  groom.    "Blessings  on 


18  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

you  for  making  her  so  happy,"  he  said  in  quivering 
tones. 

His  son  followed,  then  the  others  in  their  turn, 
and  a  merry  scene  ensued. 

"  Mamma,  it  was  so  pretty,  so  pretty,"  little  Elsie 
said,  clasping  her  arms  about  her  mother's  neck, 
"and  now  I  just  feel  as  if  I'd  been  to  your  wed- 
ding.    Thank  you,  dear  mamma  and  papa." 

"Mamma,  you  are  so  beautiful,  111  just  marry 
you  myself,  when  I'm  a  man,"  remarked  Eddie, 
giving  her  a  hearty  kiss,  then  gazing  into  her  face 
with  his  great  dark  eyes  full  of  love  and  admiration. 

"I  too,"  chimed  in  Violet.  "No,  no,  I  forget, 
I  shall  be  a  lady  myself:  so  I'll  have  to  marry  papa." 

"No,  Vi,  oo  tan't  have  my  papa;  he's  dus'  my 
papa  always,"  objected  Harold,  climbing  his  father's 
knee. 

"What  a  splendid  idea,  Elsie,"  Lucy  Ross  was 
saying  to  her  friend,  "you  have  made  me  regret, 
for  the  first  time,  not  having  kept  my  wedding 
dress;  for  I  believe  my  Phil  and  I  could  go  through 
that  catechism  quite  as  well  as  you  and  Mr.  Tra- 
villa.  The  whole  thing,  I  suppose,  was  quite 
original?" 

"  Among  us:  my  namesake  daughter  proposed  the 
wearing  of  the  dress:  and  the  ceremony,"  turning 
to  the  minister,  "  was  your  idea,  Mr.  Wood,  was  it 
not?" 

"Partly,  Mrs.  Travilla;  your  father,  Mrs.  Dins- 
more,  and  I  planned  it  together." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  18 

*  Your  dress  is  as  perfect  a  fit  as  when  made,  but 
I  presume  you  had  it  altered/'  observed  Lucy,  mak- 
ing a  critical  examination  of  her  friend's  toilet,        . 

"  No,  not  in  the  least,"  answered  Elsie,  smiling.    $ 

The  banquet  to  which  the  guests  were  presently- 
summoned,  though  gotten  up  so  hastily,  more  than 
fulfilled  the  expectation  of  the  Misses  Conly,  who 
as  well  as  their  mother  and  Aunt  Enna  did  it  ample 
justice;  there  was  a  good  deal  of  gormandizing  done 
by  the  spoiled  children  present,  spite  of  feeble  pro- 
tests from  their  parents;  but  Elsie's  well  trained 
little  ones  ate  contentedly  what  was  given  them,  nor 
even  asked  for  the  rich  dainties  on  which  others 
were  feasting;  knowing  that  papa  and  mamma  loved 
them  too  dearly  to  deny  them  any  real  good. 

"  Holloa,  Neddie  and  Vi,  why  you've  been  over- 
looked! "  said  Philip  Ross,  coming  toward  the  two 
little  ones  with  a  plate  heaped  up  with  rich  viands, 
"  you've  nothing  but  ice  cream  and  plain  sugar  bis- 
cuit; here,  take  some  of  this  pound  cake  and  these 
bonbons.     They're  delicious,  I  tell  you!" 

"  No,  no,  thank  you:  mamma  says  pound  cake  is 
much  too  rich  for  us,  and  would  make  us  sick,"  said 
Eddie. 

"'Specially  at  night,"  added  Yi,  "and  we're  to 
have  some  bonbons  to-morrow." 

"  Goodest  little  tots  ever  I  saw,"  returned  Philip, 
laughing.  "Ma  wanted  me  to  let  'em  alone,  but 
I  told  her  I'd  risk  the  getting  sick,"  he  added  with 
a  pompous  grown-up  air. 


20  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"Phil,  you  certainly  are  an  insubordination,  as 
Miss  Fisk  said,"  remarked  his  sister  Gertrude, 
'standing  near;  "  I  believe  you  think  you're  'most  a 
man,  but  it's  a  great  mistake." 

"  Pooh,  Ger!  people  that  live  in  glass  houses 
shouldn't  throw  stones.  I  heard  you  telling  ma  you 
wouldn't  wear  the  dress  she'd  laid  out  for  you.  Elsie 
Travilla,  allow  me  the  pleasure  of  refilling  your 
saucer." 

"  No,  thank  you,  Phil,  I've  had  all  mamma  thinks 
good  for  me." 

"  Time  to  go  to  bed,  chillens,"  said  mammy,  ap- 
proaching the  little  group;  "de  clock  jes  gwine 
strike  nine.  Here,  Uncle  Joe,  take  dese  empty 
saucers." 

Promptly  and  without  a  murmur  the  four  little 
folks  prepared  to  obey  the  summons,  but  cast  wist- 
ful longing  glances  toward  mamma,  who  was  gayly 
chatting  with  her  guests  on  the  other  side  of  the 
room.  Just  then  the  clock  on  the  mantel  struck, 
and  excusing  herself  she  came  quickly  toward  them. 
"That  is  right,  dears;  come  and  say  good-night  to 
papa  and  our  friends;  then  go  with  mammy  and 
mamma  will  follow  in  a  few  moments." 

"What  dear  sweet  creatures  they  are!  perfect 
little  ladies  and  gentlemen,"  remarked  Mrs.  Wood, 
as,  after  a  courteous  good-night  to  all,  they  went 
cheerfully  away  with  their  mammy. 

"  I  wish  mine  were  half  as  good,"  said  Mrs.  Ross. 

*  Now  ma,  don't  expose  us,"  cried  Phil.     "  I've 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  21 

often  heard  you  say  Mrs.  Travilla  was  a  far  better 
little  girl  than  you;  so  of  course  her  children  ought 
to  be  better  than  yours.'5 

"  Some  children  keep  their  good  behavior  for 
company,"  sneered  Enna,  "  and  I've  no  doubt  these 
little  paragons  have  their  naughty  fits  as  well  as 
ours." 

"It  is  quite  true  that  they  are  not  always 
good/'  Elsie  said  with  patient  sweetness.  "  And 
now  I  beg  you  will  all  excuse  me  for  a  few  moments, 
as  they  never  feel  quite  comfortable  going  to  bed 
without  a  last  word  or  two  with  mamma." 

"  Before  I'd  make  myself  such  a  slave  to  my  chil- 
dren! "  muttered  Enna,  looking  after  her  as  she 
glided  from  the  room.  "If  they  couldn't  be  con- 
tent to  be  put  to  bed  by  their  mammies,  they  might 
stay  up  all  night." 

"I  think  Mrs.  Travilla  is  right,"  observed  the 
pastor;  "the  responsibilities  of  parents  are  very 
great.  God  says  to  each  one,  '  Take  this  child  and 
nurse  it  for  me,  and  I  will  give  thee  thy  wages.' " 


CHAPTER  III. 

Delightful  task!  to  rear  the  tender  thought, 
To  teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot, 
To  pour  the  fresh  instruction  o'er  the  mind, 
To  breathe  the  enlivening  spirit  and  to  fix 
The  generous  purpose  in  the  glowing  breast! 

— Thomson's  Seasons. 

The  Ion  little  folks  were  allowed  an  extra  nap 
the  next  morning,  their  parents  wisely  considering 
plenty  of  sleep  necessary  to  the  healthful  develop- 
ment of  their  mental  and  physical  powers.  They 
themselves,  however,  felt  no  necessity  for  a  like  in- 
dulgence, their  guests  having  departed  in  season  to 
admit  of  their  retiring  at  the  usual  hour,  and  were 
early  in  the  saddle,  keenly  enjoying  a  brisk  canter 
of  several  miles  before  breakfast. 

On  their  return  Elsie  went  to  the  nursery,  Mr. 
Travilla  to  the  field  where  his  men  were  at  work. 
Half  an  hour  later  they  and  their  children  met  at 
the  breakfast  table. 

Solon  came  in  for  orders. 

"  You  may  leave  Beppo  saddled,  Solon,"  said  Mr. 
Travilla,  "and  have  Prince  and  Princess  at  the 
door  also,  immediately  after  prayers." 

The  last  named  were  a  pair  of  pretty  little  grey 

23 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  23 

ponies  belonging  respectively  to  Eddie  and  his  sister 
Elsie.  They  were  gentle  and  well  trained  for  both 
saddle  and  harness. 

Nearly  every  day  the  children  rode  them,  one  on 
each  side  of  their  father,  mounted  on  Beppo,  his 
beautiful  bay;  and  occasionally  they  drove  behind 
them  in  the  phaeton  with  their  mother  or  some 
older  person;  and  one  or  the  other  of  the  children 
would  often  be  allowed  to  hold  the  reins  when  on 
a  straight  and  level  road;  for  their  father  wished 
them  to  learn  to  both  ride  and  drive  with  ease 
and  skill. 

Little  Elsie's  great  ambition  was  "to  be  like 
mamma  "  in  the  ease  and  grace  with  which  she  sat 
her  horse,  as  well  as  in  every  thing  else;  while  Eddie 
was  equally  anxious  to  copy  his  father. 

Violet  and  Harold  ran  out  to  the  veranda  to 
watch  them  mount  and  ride  away. 

"  Papa,"  said  Vi,  "  shall  we,  too,  have  ponies  and 
ride  with  you,  when  we're  as  big  as  Elsie  and 
Eddie?" 

"I  intend  you  shall,  little  daughter,  and  if  you 
and  Harold  will  be  here  with  your  hats  on,  all  ready 
to  start  at  once  when  we  come  back,  I  will  give  you 
each  a  short  ride  before  the  ponies  are  put  away." 

"  Oh,  thank  you,  papa!  we'll  be  sure  to  be  ready," 
they  answered,  and  ran  in  to  their  mother  to  tell 
her  of  papa's  kind  promise,  and  to  have  their  hats 
put  on, 

Elsie,  who  was  in  the  sitting-room  with  Herbert 


24  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

on  her  lap,  rejoiced  in  their  joy,  and  bade  Dinah 
prepare  them  at  once  for  their  ride. 

"Bress  dere  little  hearts!  dey  grows  hansomer 
ebery  day,"  exclaimed  an  elderly  negress,  who  had 
just  come  in  with  a  basket  on  her  arm. 

"  Don't  say  such  things  before  them,  Aunt  Sally f 
said  her  mistress  in  a  tone  of  gentle  reproof,  "  their 
young  hearts  are  only  too  ready  to  be  puffed  up 
with  vanity  and  pride.  Now  what  is  your  report 
from  the  quarter." 

"  Well,  missus,  dere's  lots  ob  miseries  down  dere 
dis  mornin';  ole  Lize  she's  took  wid  a  misery  in  her 
side;  an'  Uncle  Jack,  he  got  um  in  his  head;  ole 
Aunt  Delie's  got  de  misery  in  de  joints  wid  de  rheu- 
matiz.  an'  ole  Uncle  Mose  he's  'plainin  ob  de  misery 
in  his  back — can't  stan'  up  straight  nohow;  an' 
Hannah's  baby  got  a  mighty  bad  cold,  can't  hardly 
i  raw  its  breff;  'twas  took  dat  way  in  de  night;  an' 
Silvy's  boy  tore  his  foot  on  a  nail." 

"  Quite  a  list,"  said  Elsie.  And  giving  her  babe 
to  Aunt  Chloe,  she  selected  a  key  from  a  bright 
bunch  lying  in  a  little  basket,  held  by  a  small  dusky 
maid  at  her  side,  unlocked  a  closet  door  and  looked 
over  her  medical  store.  "  Here's  a  plaster  for  Uncle 
Mose  to  put  on  his  back,  and  one  for  Lize's  side," 
she  said,  handing  each  article  in  turn  to  Aunt  Sally, 
-  who  bestowed  it  in  her  basket.  "  This  small  bottle 
has  some  drops  that  will  do  Uncle  Jack's  head  good; 
and  this  larger  one  is  for  Aunt  Delia.  Tell  her  to 
rub  her    joints    with  it.     There  is  medicine  for 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  25 

the  baby,  and  Hannah  must  give  it  a  warm  bath. 
If  it  is  not  better  directly  we  must  send  for  the 
doctor.  Now,  here  is  a  box  of  salve,  excellent  for 
cuts,  burns,  and  bruises;  spread  some  on  a  bit  of 
rag,  and  tie  it  on  Silvy's  boy's  foot.  There,  I  think 
that  is  all.  I'll  be  down  after  a  while,  to  see  how 
they  are  all  doing,"  and  with  some  added  directions 
concerning  the  use  of  each  remedy,  Aunt  Sally 
was  dismissed. 

Then  Aunt  Dicey,  the  housekeeper,  came  for  her 
orders  for  the  day,  and  such  supplies  from  pantry 
and  storehouse  as  were  needed  in  carrying  them  out. 

In  the  meantime  the  riding  party  had  returned, 
Harold  and  Violet  had  been  treated  to  a  ride  about 
the  grounds,  the  one  in  his  father's  arms,  Beppo 
stepping  carefully  as  if  he  knew  he  carried  a  tender 
babe,  the  other  on  one  of  the  ponies  close  at  papa's 
side  and  under  his  watchful  eye. 

It  was  a  rosy  merry  group  mamma  found  upon 
the  veranda,  chatting  to  each  other  and  laughing 
gayly  as  they  watched  their  father  cantering  down 
the  avenue  on  his  way  to  the  fields  to  oversee  the 
work  going  on  there. 

They  did  not  hear  their  mother's  step  till  she  was 
close  at  hand  asking  in  her  own  sweet,  gentle  tones, 
a  My  darlings,  had  you  a  pleasant  time?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  mamma,  so  nice! "  and  they  gathered 
about  her,  eager  to  claim  her  ever  ready  sympathy, 
interested  in  their  joys  no  less  than  their  sorrows. 

They  had  been  taught  to  notice  the  beauties  of 


26  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD, 

nature — the  changing  clouds,  the  bright  autumn 
foliage,  plants  and  flowers,  insects,  birds,  stones;  all 
the  handiwork  of  God;  and  the  elder  ones  now  never 
returned  from  walk  or  ride  without  something  to 
tell  of  what  they  had  seen  and  enjoyed. 

It  was  surprising  how  much  they  learned  in  this 
easy  pleasant  way,  how  much  they  gained  almost 
imperceptibly  in  manners,  correctness  of  speech, 
and  general  information  by  this  habit  of  their 
parents  of  keeping  them  always  with  themselves 
and  patiently  answering  every  proper  question. 
They  were  encouraged  not  only  to  observe,  but  to 
think,  to  reason,  and  to  repeat  what  they  had 
learned;  thus  fixing  it  more  firmly  in  their  minds. 
They  were  not  burdened  with  long  tasks  or  many 
studies,  but  required  to  learn  thoroughly  such  as 
were  set  them,  and  trained  to  a  love  for  wholesome 
mental  food;  the  books  put  into  their  hands  being 
carefully  chosen  by  their  parents. 

Though  abundantly  able  to  employ  a  governess, 
Elsie  preferred  teaching  her  darlings  herself.  There 
was  a  large,  airy  room  set  apart  for  the  purpose, 
and  furnished  with  every  suitable  appliance,  books, 
maps,  globes,  pictures,  an  orrery,  a  piano,  etc.,  etc. 
There  were  pretty  rosewood  desks  and  chairs,  the 
floor  was  a  mosaic  of  beautifully  grained  and  pol- 
ished woods,  the  walls,  adorned  with  a  few  rare  en- 
gravings, were  of  a  delicate  neutral  tint,  and  taste- 
ful curtains  draped  each  window. 

Thither  mother  and  children  now  repaired,  and 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  27 

epent  two  happy  hours  in  giving  and  receiving  in- 
struction. 

Harold  had  not  yet  quite  mastered  the  alphabet. 
His  task  was,  of  course,  soon  done,  and  he  was  per- 
mitted to  betake  himself  to  the  nursery  or  else- 
where, with  his  mammy  to  take  care  of  him;  or  if 
he  chose  to  submit  to  the  restraint  of  the  school- 
room rather  than  leave  mamma  and  the  others,  he 
might  do  so. 

Violet  could  already  read  fluently  in  any  book 
suited  to  her  years,  and  was  learning  to  spell,  write, 
and  sew. 

Eddie  was  somewhat  further  advanced,  and  Elsie 
had  begun  arithmetic,  history,  and  geography; 
music,  also,  and  drawing;  for  both  of  which  she 
had  already  shown  decided  talent. 

School  over,  she  had  a  half  hour  of  rest,  then 
went  to  the  piano  for  an  hour's  practice,  her 
mamma  sitting  by  to  aid  and  encourage  her. 

Mr.  Tra villa  came  in,  asking,  "  Where  is  Eddie?  " 

"  Here,  papa,"  and  the  boy  came  running  in  with 
face  all  aglow  with  delight.  "  Oh,  are  you  going  to 
teach  me  how  to  shoot?  I  saw  you  coming  with  that 
pistol  in  your  hand,  and  I'm  so  glad." 

"  Yes,"  his  father  answered,  smiling  at  the  eager 
face.  "  You  will  not  be  anxious,  little  wife?  "  turn- 
ing to  her  with  a  tender  loving  look. 

"No,  my  husband;  surely  I  can  trust  him  with 
you,  his  own  wise,  careful,  loving  father,"  she  an- 
swered with  a  confiding  smile. 


28  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"Oh,  papa,  mayn't  I  go  along  with  you?  and 
won't  you  teach  me  too?"  cried  Violet,  who  was 
always  ready  for  any  excitement. 

"Not  to-day,  daughter;  only  Eddie  and  I  are 
going  now;  but  sometime  I  will  teach  you  all.  It 
is  well  enough  for  even  ladies  to  handle  a  pistol 
on  occasion,  and  your  mamma  is  quite  a  good  shot." 

Vi  looked  disappointed,  but  did  not  fret,  pout, 
or  ask  a  second  time;  for  such  things  were  not 
allowed  in  the  family  by  either  parent. 

"Mamma's  good  little  girl,"  the  mother  said, 
drawing  her  caressingly  to  her  side,  as  Mr.  Tra- 
villa  and  Eddie  left  the  room.  "I  am  going  to 
walk  down  to  the  quarter  this  afternoon,  and  will 
take  you  and  your  brother  and  sister  with  me,  if  you 
care  to  go." 

"  Oh,  mamma,  thank  you!  yes,  indeed,  I  do  want 
to  go,"  cried  the  little  one,  her  face  growing  bright 
as  its  wont.  "May  we  be  there  when  the  bell 
rings?  'cause  I  do  like  to  see  the  dogs."  And  she 
clapped  her  tiny  hands  with  a  laugh  like  the  chim- 
ing of  silver  bells. 

Her  sister  laughed  too,  saying,  "  Oh,  yes, 
mamma,  do  let  us." 

The  Ion  negroes  were  paid  liberal  wages,  and  yet 
as  kind  and  generously  cared  for  as  in  the  old  days 
of  slavery;  even  more  so,  for  now  Elsie  might  law- 
fully carry  out  her  desire  to  educate  and  elevate 
them  to  a  higher  standard  of  intelligence  and 
morality. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  29 

To  this  end  Mr.  Travilla  had  added  to  the  quarter 
a  neat  school-house,  where  the  children  received  in- 
struction in  the  rudiments  during  the  day,  the 
adults  in  the  evening,  from  one  of  their  own  race 
whose  advantages  had  been  such  as  to  qualify  him 
for  the  work.  There,  too,  the  master  and  mistress 
themselves  held  a  Sunday  school  on  Sabbath  after- 
noons. 

Aunt  Sally,  the  nurse,  also  instructed  the  women 
in  housewifely  ways,  and  Dinah  taught  them  sew- 
ing; Elsie  encouraging  and  stimulating  them  to 
effort  by  bestowing  prizes  on  the  most  diligent  and 
proficient. 

Eddie  came  in  from  his  first  lesson  in  the  use  of 
firearms,  flushed  and  excited. 

"Mamma,  I  did  shoot,"  he  cried  exultingly,  "I 
shooted  many  times,  and  papa  says  Fll  make  a  good 
shot  some  day  if  I  keep  on  trying." 

"Ah!  did  you  hit  the  mark?" 

"Not  quite  this  time,  mamma,"  and  the  bright 
face  clouded  slightly. 

"Not  quite,"  laughed  Mr.  Travilla,  drawing  his 
boy  caressingly  toward  him.  "If  you  please, 
mamma,  do  not  question  us  too  closely;  we  expect 
to  do  better  another  time.  He  really  did  fairly 
well  considering  his  age  and  that  it  was  his  first 
lesson." 

"  Papa,"  asked  Vi,  climbing  his  knee,  "  were  you 
Afraid  Eddie  would  shoot  us  if  we  went  along?  " 

"  I  thought  it  safer  to  leave  you  at  home." 


30  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  Papa,  mamma's  going  to  take  usy  walking  down 
to  the  quarter  this  afternoon;  we're  to  be  there 
when  the  bell  rings,  so  we  can  see  those  funny 
dogs." 

"Ah,  then  I  think  I  shall  meet  you  there  and 
walk  home  with  you." 

This  announcement  was  received  with  a  chorus 
of  exclamations  of  delight;  his  loved  compan- 
ionship would  double  their  enjoyment;  it  always 
did. 

'Twas  a  pleasant,  shady  walk,  not  too  long  for 
the  older  children,  and  Harold's  mammy  would 
carry  him  when  he  grew  weary.  They  called  at 
the  school-room,  witnessed  the  closing  exercises, 
then  visited  all  the  aged  and  ailing  ones,  Elsie  in- 
quiringly tenderly  concerning  their  "miseries," 
speaking  words  of  sympathy  and  consolation  and 
giving  additional  advice;  remedies  too,  and  some 
little  delicacies  to  whet  the  sickly  appetites  (these 
last  being  contained  in  a  basket,  carried  by  a  ser- 
vant). 

As  they  left  the  last  cabin,  in  the  near  vicinity 
of  the  post  where  hung  the  belL  which  summoned 
the  men  to  their  meals  and  gave  notice  of  the  hour 
for  quitting  work,  they  saw  the  ringer  hurrying 
toward  it. 

"Oh,  mamma,  we're  just  in  time!"  cried  Vi, 
"  how  nice! " 

"Yes,"  said  her  sister,  "mamma  always  knows 
how  to  make  things  come  out  right." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  31 

Every  negro  family  owned  a  cur,  and  at  the  first 
tap  of  the  bell  they  always,  with  a  united  yelp, 
rushed  for  the  spot,  where  they  formed  a  ring  round 
the  post,  each  seated  on  his  haunches  and  brushing 
the  ground  with  his  tail,  with  a  rapid  motion  from 
side  to  side,  nose  in  the  air,  eyes  fixed  upon  the  bell, 
and  throat  sending  out  a  prolonged  howl  so  long 
as  the  ringing  continued.  The  din  was  deafening, 
and  far  from  musical,  but  it  was  a  comical  sight, 
vastly  enjoyed  by  the  young  Travillas,  who  saw 
it  only  occasionally. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Travilla  were  walking  slowly  home- 
ward, the  children  and  Bruno  frolicking,  jumping, 
dancing,  running  on  before.  After  awhile  the  two 
little  girls  grew  somewhat  weary,  and  subsided  into 
a  soberer  pace. 

"  Vi,"  said  Elsie,  "  don't  you  believe  Aunt  Delia 
might  get  better  of  those  €  miseries '  in  her  bones, 
if  she  had  some  nice  new  red  flannel  things  to 
wear?  n 

"  Yes;  let's  buy  her  some,"  and  a  pretty  dimpled 
hand  went  into  her  pocket,  and  out  came  a  dainty, 
silken  purse,  mamma's  gift  on  her  last  birthday, 
when  she  began  to  have  a  weekly  allowance,  like 
Elsie  and  Eddie. 

"Yes,  if  mamma  approves." 

"'Course  we'll  'suit  mamma  'bout  it  first,  and 
she'll  say  yes;  she  always  likes  to  be  kind  and — char 
_char " 

"  Charitable?  yes,  'specially  to  Jesus'  people,  and 


32  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

I  know  Aunt  Delia's  one  of  his.  How  much  money; 
have  you,  Vi?" 

"  I  don't  know;  mamma  or  papa  will  count  when 
we  get  home." 

"  I  have  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents;  mayhe  Eddie 
will  give  some  if  we  haven't  enough." 

"Enough  of  what?"  queried  Eddie,  overhearing 
the  last  words  as  he  and  Bruno  neared  the  others  in 
their  gamhols. 

Elsie  explained,  asking,  "Would  you  like  to 
help?" 

"  Yes;  and  I'm  going  to  buy  some  e  baccy,'  as  he 
calls  it,  for  old  Uncle  Jack." 

Mamma  was  duly  consulted,  approved  of  their 
plans,  took  them  the  next  day  to  the  nearest  village, 
let  them  select  the  goods  themselves,  then  helped 
them  to  cut  out  and  make  the  garments.  Eddie 
assisted  by  threading  needles  and  sewing  on  but- 
tons, saying  "  that  would  do  for  a  boy,  because  he 
had  heard  papa  say  he  had  sometimes  sewed  on  a 
button  for  himself  when  he  was  away  at  college." 

To  be  sure  the  work  might  have  been  given  to 
the  seamstress,  but  it  was  the  desire  of  these  parents 
to  train  their  little  ones  to  give  time  and  effort  as 
well  as  money. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

O,  what  a  state  is  guilt  I  how  wild!  how  wretched! 

— Havard. 

The  war  had  wrought  many  changes  in  the 
neighborhood  where  our  friends  resided;  some  who 
had  been  reared  in  the  lap  of  luxury  were  now  in 
absolute  want,  having  sacrificed  almost  their  last 
dollar  in  the  cause  of  secession;  to  which  also  in 
numerous  instances  the  husbands,  sons,  and  broth- 
ers had  fallen  victims. 

Though  through  the  clemency  of  the  Government 
there  had  been  no  executions  for  treason,  no  confis- 
cation of  property,  many  plantations  had  changed 
hands  because  of  the  inability  of  the  original  owners 
to  work  them,  for  lack  of  means  to  pay  the  laborers. 

Elsie's  tender  sympathies  were  strongly  enlisted 
for  these  old  friends  and  acquaintances,  and  their 
necessities  often  relieved  by  her  bounty  when  they 
little  guessed  whence  help  had  come.  Her  favors 
were  doubled  by  the  delicate  kindness  of  the  manner 
of  their  bestowal. 

The  ability  to  give  largely  was  the  greatest  pleas- 
ure her  wealth  afforded  her,  and  one  in  which  she 
indulged  to  the  extent  of  disposing  yearly  in  that 
way  of  the  whole  surplus  of  her  ample  income;  not 

33 


34  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

waiting  to  be  importuned,  but  constantly  seeking 
out  worthy  objects  upon  whom  to  bestow  that  of 
which  she  truly  considered  herself  but  a  steward 
who  must  one  day  render  a  strict  account  unto  her 
Lord. 

It  was  she  who  had  repaired  the  ravages  of  war 
in  Springbrook,  the  residence  of  Mr.  Wood,  her 
pastor;  she  who,  when  the  Fosters  of  Fairview,  a 
plantation  adjoining  Ion,  had  been  compelled  to  sell 
it,  had  bought  a  neat  cottage  in  the  vicinity  and 
given  them  the  use  of  it  at  a  merely  nominal  rent. 
And  many  another  like  deed  had  she  done;  always 
with  the  entire  approval  of  her  husband,  who  was 
scarcely  less  generous  than  herself. 

The  purchaser  of  Fairview  was  a  Mr.  Leland,  a 
Northern  man  who  had  been  an  officer  in  the  Union 
army.  Pleased  with  the  Southern  climate  and  the 
appearance  of  that  section  of  country,  he  felt  in- 
clined to  settle  there  and  assist  in  the  development 
of  its  resources;  he  therefore  returned  some  time 
after  the  conclusion  of  peace,  bought  this  place, 
and  removed  his  family  thither. 

They  were  people  of  refinement  and  culture,  quiet 
and  peaceable,  steady  attendants  upon  Mr.  Wood's 
ministry,  and  in  every  way  conducted  themselves 
as  good  citizens. 

Yet  they  were  not  popular:  the  Fosters,  particu- 
larly Wilkins,  the  only  son,  hated  them  as  their 
supplanters,  and  saw  with  bitter  envy  the  rapid  im- 
provement of  Fairview  under  Mr.  Leland's  careful 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  35 

cultivation.  It  was  no  fault  of  his  that  they  had 
been  compelled  to  part  with  it,  and  he  had  paid  a 
fair  price:  hut  envy  and  jealousy  are  ever  unreason- 
able, and  their  mildest  term  of  reproach  in  speaking 
of  him  was  "carpet-bagger." 

Others  found  fault  with  Mr.  Leland  as  paying 
too  liberal  wages  to  the  negroes  (including  Mr. 
Horace  Dinsmore  and  Mr.  Travilla  in  the  same 
charge),  and  hated  him  for  his  outspoken  loyalty 
to  the  Government;  for  though  he  showed  no  dispo- 
sition to  seek  for  office  or  meddle  in  any  way  with 
the  politics  of  others,  he  made  no  secret  of  his  views 
when  occasion  seemed  to  call  for  their  expression. 
It  was  not  a  prudent  course  under  existing  circum- 
stances, but  accorded  well  with  the  frank  and  fear- 
less nature  of  the  man. 

Messrs.  Dinsmore  and  Travilla,  themselves  strong 
Unionists,  though  the  latter  was  more  discreet  in 
the  utterance  of  his  sentiments,  found  in  him  a 
kindred  spirit.  Eose  and  Elsie  were  equally  pleased 
with  Mrs.  Leland,  and  pitying  her  loneliness,  called 
frequently,  inviting  a  return  of  their  visits,  until 
now  the  three  families  had  become  tolerably  inti- 
mate. 

This  state  of  things  was  extremely  displeasing  to 
Louise  and  Enna;  scarcely  less  so  to  their  father; 
but  the  others,  convinced  that  they  were  in  the  path 
of  duty  in  thus  extending  kindness  and  sympathy  to 
deserving  strangers,  who  were  also  "  of  the  house- 
hold of  faith"  were  not  to  be  deterred  by  remon- 


36  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

stranees  or  vituperation.  "  Scalawags  " — a  term  of 
reproach  applied  by  the  Democrats  of  the  South  to 
the  Kepublicans  who  were  natives  of  that  section — 
was  what  Enna  called  her  brother,  his  son-in-law, 
and  daughter,  when  out  of  hearing  of  her  father, 
who,  though  vexed  at  their  notice  of  the  Lelands, 
was  too  strongly  attached  to  his  only  remaining 
son,  and  too  sensible  of  the  kindness  he  had  received 
at  the  hands  of  Mr.  Travilla  and  Elsie,  to  permit 
anything  of  that  sort. 

The  Lelands  had  several  young  children,  well- 
bred  and  of  good  principles,  and  it  angered  Louise 
and  Enna  that  Elsie  evidently  preferred  them  to 
their  own  rude,  deceitful,  spoiled  offspring  as  com- 
panions and  playmates  for  her  little  ones. 

Elsie  and  her  husband  were  very  desirous  to  live 
on  good  terms  with  these  near  relatives,  but  not 
to  the  extent  of  sacrificing  their  children's  morals; 
therefore  did  not  encourage  a  close  intimacy  with 
their  Eoselands  cousins;  yet  ever  treated  them 
politely  and  kindly,  and  made  a  valuable  present  to 
each  on  every  return  of  his  or  her  birthday,  and  on 
Christmas;  always  managing  to  select  something 
specially  desired  by  the  recipient  of  the  favor. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dinsmore  pursued  a  similar  course; 
Eosie  was  allowed  to  be  as  intimate  as  she  chose  at 
Ion,  and  with  her  Aunt  Sophie's  children,  but  never 
visited  Roselands  except  with  her  parents  or  sister; 
nor  were  the  Koseland  cousins  ever  invited  to  make 
a  lengthened  stay  at  the  Oaks. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  37 

One  afternoon,  several  weeks  subsequent  to  the 
events  related  in  the  last  chapter,  Mary  and  Archie 
Leland  came  over  to  Ion  to  spend  an  hour  with 
their  young  friends. 

The  weather  was  delightful,  and  the  children  pre- 
ferred playing  out  of  doors;  the  girls  took  their 
dolls  to  a  summer-house  in  the  garden,  while  with 
kite,  ball,  and  marbles  the  boys  repaired  to  the 
avenue. 

"Who  are  those?"  asked  Archie,  as  looking  up 
at  the  sound  of  approaching  footsteps  he  saw  two 
boys,  a  good  deal  older  than  themselves,  coming 
leisurely  toward  them. 

*  My  cousins,  Wal  Conly  and  Dick  Percival,"  an- 
swered Eddie.  "I  wish  they  hadn't  come,  they 
always  tease  me  so/' 

"Hilloa!"  cried  Dick;  "  what!  Ed  Travilla,  you 
play  with  carpet-baggers,  eh?  Eie  on  you!  I 
wouldn't  be  seen  with  one." 

"  That's  not  polite,  Dick.  Archie's  a  good  boy; 
mamma  and  papa  say  so;  and  I  like  him  for  a  play- 
fellow." 

"  You  do?  Ah,  that's  because  you're  a  scalawag." 

"What's  that?" 

"  What  your  father  is  and  your  grandfather  too." 

"Then  I  don't  care;  I  want  to  be  just  like  my 
papa." 

"But  it  isn't  nice,"  put  in  Walter,  laughing, 
"  a  scalawag's  the  meanest  thing  alive." 

"Then    you    shall    not    call    papa    that,    nor 


38  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

grandpa! "  and  the  child's  great  dark  eyes  flashed 
with  anger. 

"Whew!  Fd  like  to  see  you  hinder  me.  Look 
here,  Ed/'  and  Dick  pulled  out  a  pistol,  "  what  d'ye 
think  o'  that?  don't  you  wish  you  had  one?  don't 
you  wish  you  could  shoot  ?  " 

"I  can/'  returned  Eddie  proudly;  " papa's  been 
teaching  me,  and  he's  given  me  a  better  pistol  than 
that." 

"  Hey!  a  likely  story! "  cried  the  two  tormentors, 
with  an  incredulous  laugh.    "  Let's  see  it  now?  " 

"  It's  in  the  house;  but  papa  said  I  should  never 
touch  it  'cept  when  he  gives  it  to  me;  not  till  I  grow 
a  big  boy." 

"Nonsense!"  cried  Dick,  "if  'twas  there,  you'd 
bring  it  out  fast  enough.  I  shan't  believe  a  word 
of  the  story  until  I  see  the  pistol." 

"  I'll  show  you  if  I'm  not  telling  the  truth! "  ex- 
claimed  Eddie,  flushing  hotly,  and  turning  about  as 
if  to  go  into  the  house. 

But  Archie  laid  a  hand  on  his  arm,  and  speaking 
for  the  first  time  since  the  others  had  joined  them, 
"Don't,  Eddie,"  he  said  persuasively,  "don't  dis- 
obey your  father;  I  know  you'll  be  sorry  for  it 
afterwards." 

"Hold  your  tongue,  you  young  carpet-bagger/' 
said  Dick.    "Eun  and  get  it,  Ed." 

"No,  never  mind  about  his  pistol,  he  can't 
shoot,"  said  Walter  mockingly.  "If  he  can,  let 
him  take  yours  and  prove  it." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  39 

Eddie  remembered  well  that  his  father  had  also 
forbidden  him  to  touch  firearms  at  all,  except  when 
with  him;  but  the  boy  was  naturally  proud  and  wil- 
ful, and,  spite  of  all  the  careful  training  of  his 
parents,  these  faults  would  occasionally  show  them- 
selves. 

He  did  not  like  to  have  his  word  doubted,  he  was 
eager  to  prove  his  skill,  which  he  conceived  to  be 
far  greater  than  it  was,  and  as  his  cousins  continued 
to  twit  and  tease  him,  daring  him  to  show  what  he 
could  do,  he  was  sorely  tempted  to  disobey. 

They  were  slowly  walking  on  farther  from  the 
house  as  they  talked,  and  finally  when  Dick  said, 
"Why,  Ed,  you  couldn't  hit  that  big  tree  yonder, 
I  dare  you  to  try  it,"  at  the  same  time  offering 
him  the  pistol,  the  little  fellow's  sense  of  duty  sud- 
denly gave  way,  and  snatching  the  weapon  from 
Dick's  hand  he  fired,  not  allowing  himself  time,  in 
his  haste  and  passion,  to  take  proper  aim. 

In  their  excitement  and  pre-occupation  none  of 
the  boys  had  noticed  Mr.  Travilla  riding  into  the 
avenue  a  moment  before,  closely  followed  by  his 
body  servant  Ben.  Almost  simultaneously  with  the 
report  of  the  pistol  the  former  tumbled  from  the 
saddle  and  fell  heavily  to  the  ground. 

With  a  cry,  "  Oh,  Mass  Edard's  killed! "  Ben 
sprang  from  his  horse  and  bent  over  the  prostrate 
form,  wringing  his  hands  in  fright  and  grief.  He 
was  his  master's  foster-brother  and  devotedly  at- 
tached to  him. 


40  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

The  fall,  the  cry,  the  snorting  and  running  of  the 
frightened  horses  instantly  told  the  boys  what  had 
happened,  and  Eddie  threw  himself  on  the  ground 
screaming  in  an  agony  of  grief  and  remorse,  "  Oh, 
I've  killed  my  father,  my  dear,  dear  father!  Oh, 
papa,  papa!  what  shall  I  do?  what  shall  I  do?  " 

Mr.  Leland  coming  in  search  of  his  children,  the 
men  passing  the  gate  returning  from  their  work, 
all  heard  and  rushed  to  the  spot.  The  blacks 
crowded  about  the  scene  of  the  accident,  sobbing 
like  children  at  the  sight  of  their  loved  master  and 
friend  lying  there  apparently  lifeless. 

Mr.  Leland,  his  features  working  with  emotion, 
at  once  assumed  the  direction  of  affairs.  "  Catch 
the  horses,"  he  said,  "and  you,  Ben,  mount  the 
fleetest  and  fly  for  the  doctor.  And  you,"  turning 
to  another,  "  take  the  other  and  hurry  to  the  Oaks 
for  Mr.  Dinsmore.  Now  the  rest  of  you  help  me 
to  carry  your  master  to  the  house.  I  will  lift  his 
head,  there  gently,  gently,  my  good  fellows,  I  think 
he  still  breathes.  But  Mrs.  Travilla!"  he  added, 
looking  toward  the  dwelling,  "  all  seems  quiet  there; 
they  have  not  heard,  I  think,  and  she  should  be 
warned.     I  wish " 

"I  will  go,  I  will  tell  mamma,"  interrupted  a 
quivering  child  voice  at  his  side. 

Little  Elsie  had  pushed  her  way  through  the 
crowd  and  dropping  on  her  knees  on  the  grass  was 
raining  kisses  and  tears  upon  the  pale,  unconscious 
face. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  41 

"  You?  poor  child!  "  Mr.  Leland  began  in  piteous 
tones;  but  she  had  already  sprung  to  her  feet  and 
was  flying  toward  the  house  with  the  fleetness  of  the 
Tind. 

One  moment  she  paused  in  the  spacious  entrance 
"lall,  to  recover  her  breath,  calm  her  features,  and 
remove  the  traces  of  her  tears.  "  Mamma,  mamma," 
she  was  saying  to  herself.  "  0  Lord  Jesus,  give  me 
the  right  words  to  speak  to  her." 

She  hardly  knew  to  which  apartment  to  direct 
her  steps,  but  "Hark!  there  was  the  sound  of  the 
piano  and  mamma's  sweet  voice  singing  a  song  papa 
had  brought  home  only  the  other  day,  and  that  he 
liked.  Ah,  would  she  ever  sing  again  now  that 
he " 

But  no,  not  even  in  tftought  could  she  say  that 
dreadful  word;  but  she  knew  now  that  mamma  was 
&n  the  music-room;  and  earnestly  repeating  her 
rfilent  petition  for  help,  she  hurried  thither. 

The  door  was  open;  with  swift,  noiseless  steps  she 
gained  her  mother's  side;  passing  an  arm  about  her 
neck,  and  half  averting  her  own  pale,  agitated  face, 
"Mamma,"  she  said  in  low,  tremulous  tones, 
<f  e  God  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present 
help  in  trouble!'  Mamma,  Jesus  loves  you,  Jesus 
loves  you!    He  will  help  you  to  bear " 

"  My  daughter,  what  is  it?  "  asked  the  mother  in 
a  tone  of  forced  calmness,  a  terrible  pang  shooting 
through  her  heart,  "your  father?  Eddie?  Vi?" 
Then  starting  up  at  a  sound  as  of  the  feet  of  those 


42  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

who  bore  some  heavy  burden,  she  ran  into  the 
hall. 

For  a  moment  she  stood  as  one  transfixed  with 
grief  and  horror. 

"  He  breathes,  he  lives,"  Mr.  Leland  hastened  to 
say. 

Her  lips  moved,  but  no  words  came  from  them. 
Silently  motioning  them  to  follow  her,  she  led  the 
way  to  his  room  and  pointed  to  the  bed.  They  laid 
him  on  it  and  at  that  instant  consciousness  re- 
turned. 

"  Dear  wife,  it  is  nothing,"  he  faintly  murmured, 
lifting  his  eyes  to  her  face  as  she  bent  over  him 
in  speechless  anguish. 

She  softly  pressed  her  lips  to  his  brow,  her  heart 
too  full  for  utterance. 

The  words  sent  a  thrill  of  gladness  to  the  heart 
of  little  Elsie,  who  had  crept  in  behind  the  men,  and 
stood  near  the  bed  silently  weeping;  her  father 
lived;  and  now  Eddie's  frantic  screams  seemed  to 
ring  in  her  ears  (in  her  fear  for  her  father  she  had 
scarcely  noticed  them  before),  and  she  must  go  and 
tell  him  the  glad  news.  She  was  not  needed  here; 
mamma  was  not  conscious  of  her  presence,  and  she 
could  do  nothing  for  the  dear  injured  father.  She 
stole  quietly  from  the  room. 

On  the  veranda  she  founded  Violet  crying  bit- 
terly, while  Mary  Leland  vainly  tried  to  comfort 
her. 

"  Don't  cry  so,  little  sister,"  Elsie  said,  going  to 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  4$ 

her  and  taking  her  in  her  arms  in  tender  motherly 
fashion,  "our  dear  papa  is  not  killed;  I  saw  him 
open  his  eyes,  and  heard  him  say  to  mamma,  ■ Dear 
wife,  it  is  nothing/  " 

Vi  clung  to  her  sister  with  a  fresh  burst  of  tears, 
but  this  time  they  were  tears  of  joy.  "  Oh,  I'm 
so  glad!  I  thought  I  had  no  papa  any  more." 

A  few  more  soothing  words  and  caresses  and 
Elsie  said,  "Now  I  must  go  and  tell  poor  Eddie. 
Do  you  know  where  he  is?  " 

"Hark!  don't  you  hear  him  crying  way  off  in  the 
grounds?"  said  Mary,  "I  think  he's  just  where  he 
was." 

"  Oh,  yes,  yes! "  and  Elsie  hastened  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  sounds. 

She  found  him  lying  on  the  grass  still  crying  in 
heart-broken  accents,  "  Oh,  I've  killed  my  father, 
my  dear,  dear  father!  what  shall  I  do!  what  shall  I 
do!" 

Dick  and  Walter  were  gone;  like  the  guilty 
wretches  they  were,  they  had  fled  as  soon  as  they 
saw  what  mischief  they  had  caused.  But  Archie, 
too  kind-hearted  and  noble  to  forsake  a  friend  in 
distress,  was  still  there. 

"  You  didn't  mean  to  do  it,  Eddie,"  he  was  say- 
ing, as  Elsie  came  within  hearing. 

"No,  no,"  burst  out  the  half  distracted  child, 
"  I  wouldn't  hurt  my  dear  papa  one  bit  for  all  the 
world!  but  it  was  'cause  I  disobeyed  him.  He  told 
me  never  to  touch  firearms  when  he  wasn't  by  to 


44  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

help  me  do  it  right.  Oh,  oh,  oh,  I  didn't  think  I'd 
ever  be  such  a  wicked  boy!  I've  killed  my  father, 
oh!  oh! " 

"No,  Eddie,  no,  you  haven't;  papa  opened  his 
eyes  and  spoke  to  mamma,"  said  his  sister  hurrying 
to  his  side. 

"Did  he?  Oh,  Elsie,  is  he  alive?  Isn't  he  hurt 
much?  "  asked  the  child,  ceasing  his  cries  for  the 
moment,  and  lifting  his  tear-swollen  face  to  hers. 

"  I  don't  know,  Eddie  dear,  but  I  hope  not,"  she 
said,  low  and  tremulously,  the  tears  rolling  fast 
down  her  own  cheeks,  while  she  took  out  her  hand- 
kerchief and  gently  wiped  them  away  from  his. 

He  dropped  his  head  again,  with  a  bitter,  wailing 
cry.  "  Oh,  I'm  afraid  he  is,  and  I  shoot ed  him!  I 
shoo  ted  him! " 

Fortunately  Dr.  Burton's  residence  was  not  far 
distant,  and  Ben  urging  Beppo  to  his  utmost  speed 
and  finding  the  doctor  at  home,  had  him  at  Mr. 
Travilla's  bedside  in  a  wonderfully  short  space  of 
time. 

The  doctor  found  the  injury  not  nearly  so  great 
as  he  had  feared:  the  ball  had  struck  the  side  of  the 
head  and  glanced  off,  making  a  mere  scalp-wound, 
which,  though  causing  insensibility  for  a  time, 
would  have  no  very  serious  or  lasting  consequences; 
the  blood  had  been  already  sponged  away,  and  the 
wound  closed  with  sticking  plaster. 

But  the  fall  had  jarred  the  whole  system  and 
caused  some  bruises;  so  that  altogether  the  patient 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  45 

was  likely  to  have  to  keep  his  bed  for  some  days, 
and  the  doctor  said  must  be  kept  quiet  and  as  free 
from  excitement  as  possible. 

Elsie,  leaving  Aunt  Chloe  at  the  bedside,  followed 
the  physician  from  the  room. 

"You  need  give  yourself  no  anxiety,  my  dear 
Mrs.  Travilla,"  he  said  cheerily,  taking  her  hand  in 
his  for  a  moment,  in  his  kind  fatherly  way — for  he 
was  an  old  man  now,  and  had  known  her  from  her 
early  childhood — "the  injuries  are  not  at  all  seri- 
ous, and  there  is  no  reason  why  your  husband 
should  not  be  about  again  in  a  week  or  so.  But 
how  did  it  happen?    What  hand  fired  the  shot?" 

"Indeed  I  do  not  know,  have  not  asked,"  she 
answered,  with  an  emotion  of  surprise  at  herself 
for  the  omission.  "  It  seems  strange  I  should  not, 
but  I  was  so  taken  up  with  grief  and  fear  for  him, 
and  anxiety  to  relieve  his  suffering,  that  I  had  room 
for  no  other  thought.  Can  you  tell  us,  sir?  "  turn- 
ing to  Mr.  Leland,  who  was  standing  near. 

"  I — did  not  see  the  shot,"  he  replied  with  some 
hesitation.  , 

"  But  you  know;  tell  me,  I  beg  of  you." 

"It  was  an  accident,  madam,  entirely  an  acci- 
dent: there  can  be  no  question  about  that." 

"  But  tell  me  all  you  know,"  she  entreated,  grow- 
ing very  pale.  "  I  see  you  fear  to  wound  me,  but 
it  were  far  better  I  should  know  the  whole 
truth." 

"  I  suppose  your  little  son  must  have  been  play- 


46  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

ing  with  a  pistol,"  he  answered,  with  evident  reluc- 
tance. "  I  heard  him  screaming,  '  Oh,  Fve  killed 
my  father,  my  dear,  dear  father! ' " 

"Eddie!"  she  groaned,  staggering  back  against 
the  wall,  and  putting  her  hand  over  her  eyes. 

"  My  dear  madam!  "  "  My  dear  Mrs.  Travilla!  * 
the  gentlemen  exclaimed  simultaneously,  "do  not 
let  it  distress  you  so,  since  it  must  have  been  the 
merest  accident,  and  the  consequences  are  not  so 
serious  as  they  might  have  been." 

"  But  he  was  disobeying  his  father,  and  has  nearly 
taken  his  life,"  she  moaned  low  and  tremulously, 
the  big  tears  coursing  down  her  cheeks.  "  Oh,  my 
son,  my  son! " 

The  gentlemen  looked  uneasily  at  each  other, 
scarcely  knowing  what  consolation  to  offer;  but 
a  well  known  step  approached  hastily,  yet  with 
caution,  and  the  next  instant  Elsie  was  clasped  in 
her  father's  arms. 

"  My  darling,  my  poor  darling! "  he  said  with 
emotion,  as  she  laid  her  head  on  his  breast,  with  a 
burst  of  almost  hysterical  weeping. 

He  caressed  her  silently.  How  could  he  ask  the 
question  trembling  on  his  lips?  what  meant  this 
bitter  weeping?  His  eye  sought  that  of  the  physi- 
cian, who  promptly  answered  the  unspoken  query 
with  the  same  cheering  report  he  had  just  given 
her. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  was  intensely  relieved.  "Thank 
God  that  it  is  no  worse! "  he  said  in  low,  reverent 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  47 

tones.  "Elsie,  daughter,  cheer  up,  he  will  soon  be 
well  again." 

Mr.  Leland,  taking  leave,  offered  to  return  and 
watch  by  the  sick  bed  that  night;  but  Mr.  Dins- 
more,  while  joining  Elsie  in  cordial  thanks,  claimed 
it  as  his  privilege. 

"  Ah,  well,  don't  hesitate  to  call  upon  me  when- 
ever I  can  be  of  use,"  said  Mr.  Leland,  and  with  a 
kindly  "  Good  evening,"  he  and  the  doctor  retired, 
Mr.  Dinsmore  seeing  them  to  the  door. 

Eeturning,  he  found  Elsie  still  in  the  parlor 
where  he  had  left  her. 

She  was  speaking  to  a  servant,  "  Go,  Prilla,  look 
for  the  children,  and  bring  them  in.  It  is  getting 
late  for  them  to  be  out." 

The  girl  went,  and  Elsie  saying  to  her  father 
that  Prilla  had  brought  word  that  Mr.  Travilla  was 
now  sleeping,  begged  him  to  sit  down  and  talk  with 
her  for  a  moment.  The  tears  fell  fast  as  she  spoke. 
It  was  long  since  he  had  seen  her  so  moved. 

"Dear  daughter,  why  distress  yourself  thus?" 
he  said,  folding  her  in  his  arms,  and  drawing  her 
head  to  a  resting  place  upon  his  breast;  "  your  hus- 
band's injuries  are  not  very  serious.  Dr.  Burton 
is  not  one  to  deceive  us  with  false  hopes." 

"No,  papa,  oh,  how  thankful  I  am  to  know  he 
is  not  in  danger!  but — oh,  papa,  papa!  to  think 
that  Eddie  did  it!  that  my  own  son  should  have  so 
nearly  taken  his  father's  life!  I  grow  sick  with 
horror  at  the  very  thought!" 


48  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  Yet  it  must  have  been  the  merest  accident — the 
child  almost  idolizes  his  father." 

"I  had  thought  so,  but  he  must  have  been  dis- 
obeying that  father's  positive  command,  else  this 
could  not  have  happened.  I  could  never  have  be- 
lieved my  son  could  be  so  disobedient,  and  it  breaks 
my  heart  to  think  of  it  all." 

"  The  best  of  us  do  not  always  resist  temptation 
successfully,  and  doubtless  in  this  case  it  has  been 
very  strong.  And  he  is  bitterly  repenting;  I  heard 
him  crying  somewhere  in  the  grounds  as  I  rode 
up  the  avenue,  but  could  not  then  take  time  to  go 
to  him,  not  knowing  how  much  you  and  Travilla 
might  be  needing  my  assistance." 

"  My  poor  boy;  he  does  love  his  father,"  she  said, 
wiping  her  eyes. 

"  There  can  be  no  question  about  that,  and  this 
will  be  a  life-long  lesson  to  him." 

"  Papa,  you  always  bring  me  comfort,"  she  said 
gratefully.    "  And  you  will  stay  with  us  to-night?  " 

"Yes;  I  could  not  leave  you  at  such  a  time.  I 
shall  send  a  note  to  Eose,  to  relieve  her  anxiety  in 
regard  to  Edward's  accident,  and  let  her  know  that 
she  need  not  expect  me  home  till  morning.  Well, 
Prilla,"  as  the  girl  reappeared,  "what  is  it?  why 
have  you  not  brought  the  children  as  your  mistress 
directed?" 

"  Please,  sah,  Massa  Dinsmore,  Mars  Eddie  won't 
come;  he  jes'  lie  on  de  ground  an'  scream  an'  cry, 
i  Oh.  I've  killed  my  fader,  my  dear,  dear  fader/ 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  49 

an5  Miss  Elsie  she  comf  ortin'  an'  coaxin'  an'  plead- 
in',  but  he  won't  pay  no  pretention  to  nobody." 

Elsie  wept  anew.  "  My  poor  child!  my  poor  little 
son!  what  am  I  to  do  with  him?  " 

"I  will  go  to  him;  trust  him  to  me,"  Mr.  Bins- 
more  said,  leaving  the  room  with  a  quick  firm  step. 


CHAPTEK   V. 

If  hearty  sorrow 
Be  a  sufficient  ransom  for  offence, 
I  tender  it  here;  I  do  as  truly  suffer, 
As  e'er  I  did  commit. 

— Shak8pere. 

"  Oh,  Eddie,  dear!  do  get  up  and  come  into  the 
house!  "  entreated  his  sister.  "  I  must  leave  you  if 
you  don't,  for  Prilla  said  mamma  had  sent  for  us; 
and  you  know  we  must  obey." 

"  Oh,  I  can't,  I  can't  go  in!  I  can't  see  mamma! 
she  will  never,  never  love  me  any  more! " 

"  Yes,  she  will,  Eddie;  nothing  will  ever  make  her 
stop  loving  us;  and  if  you're  really  sorry  for  having 
disobeyed  poor,  dear  papa,  you'll  not  go  on  and 
disobey  her  now." 

"But,  oh,  I've  been  such  a  wicked,  wicked  boy. 
Oh,  Elsie!  what  shall  I  do?  Jesus  won't  love  me 
now,  nor  mamma,  nor  anybody." 

"Oh,  Eddie!"  sobbed  his  sister,  "don't  talk  so. 
Jesus  does  love  you  and  will  forgive  you,  if  you 
ask  him;  and  so  will  mamma  and  papa;  for  they  both 
love  you  and  I  love  you  dearly,  dearly." 

The  two  were  alone,  Archie  having  gone  home 
with  his  father. 

60 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  51 

A  step  drew  near,  and  Mr.  Dinsmore's  voice  spoke 
close  at  hand  in  tones  sterner  and  more  peremptory 
than  he  really  meant  them  to  be. 

"Edward,  get  up  from  that  damp  grass  and 
come  into  the  house  immediately.  Do  you  intend  to 
add  to  your  poor  mother's  troubles  by  your  dis- 
obedience, and  by  making  yourself  sick?  " 

The  child  arose  instantly.  He  was  accustomed 
to  yield  to  his  grandfather's  authority  quite  as 
readily  as  to  that  of  his  parents. 

"  Oh,  grandpa!  please  don't  be  hard  to  him!  His 
heart's  almost  broken,  and  he  wouldn't  have  hurt 
papa  on  purpose  for  all  the  world,"  pleaded  little 
Elsie,  hastening  to  Mr.  Dinsmore's  side,  taking  his 
hand  in  both  hers,  and  lifting  her  tear-dimmed  eyes 
beseechingly  to  his  face. 

"  Yes,  grandpa  ought,"  sobbed  Eddie,  "  I've  been 
such  a  wicked,  wicked  boy,  I  deserve  the  dreadfulest 
whipping  that  ever  was.  And  papa  can't  do  it 
now!"  he  cried  with  a  fresh  burst  of  grief  and 
remorse,  "and  mamma  won't  like  to.  Grandpa, 
it  '11  have  to  be  you.  Please  do  it  quick,  'cause  I 
want  it  over." 

"And  has  all  this  distress  been  for  fear  of 
punishment?"  asked  Mr.  Dinsmore,  taking  the 
child's  hand,  and  bending  down  to  look  searchingly 
into  his  face. 

"  Oh,  no,  no,  no,  grandpa!  I'd  rather  be  whipped 
any  day  than  to  know  I've  hurt  my  dear  papa  so. 
Grandpa,  won't  you  do  it  quick?" 


52  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

u  No,  my  son,  I  am  not  fond  of  such  business,  and 
shall  not  punish  you  unless  requested  to  do  so  by 
your  father  or  mother.  The  doctor  hopes  your 
father  will  be  about  again  in  a  week  or  two,  and 
be  can  then  attend  to  your  case  himself." 

"  Oh,  then  he  won't  die!  he  won't  die,  our  dear, 
dear  papa! "  cried  both  children  in  a  breath. 

"  No;  God  has  been  very  good  to  us  all  in  causing 
the  ball  to  strike  where  it  could  do  but  little  injury. 
And, Edward,  I  hope  this  will  be  such  a  lesson  to  you 
all  your  life  as  will  keep  you  from  disobeying  again." 

They  were  passing  up  the  avenue,  Eddie  moving 
submissively  along  by  his  grandfather's  side,  but 
with  tottering  steps;  for  the  dreadful  excitement  of 
the  last  hour  had  exhausted  him  greatly.  Per- 
ceiving this  Mr.  Dinsmore  presently  took  him  in 
his  arms  and  carried  him  to  the  house. 

Low  pitiful  sobs  and  sighs  were  the  only  sounds 
the  little  fellow  made  till  set  down  in  the  veranda; 
but  then  clinging  to  his  grandfather's  hand,  he 
burst  out  afresh,  "  Oh,  grandpa,  I  can't  go  in!  I 
can't  see  mamma,  for  she  can't  love  me  any  more." 

The  mother  heard  and  came  quickly  out.  The 
tears  were  coursing  down  her  cheeks,  her  mother 
heart  yearned  over  her  guilty,  miserable  child: 
stooping  down  and  stretching  out  her  arms, 
"Eddie,  my  little  son,"  she  said  in  tender  tremu- 
lous accents,  "  come  to  mother.  If  my  boy  is  truly 
sorry  for  his  sin,  mamma  has  no  reproaches  for 
him:  nothing  but  forgiveness  and  love." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  53 

He  threw  himself  upon  her  bosom,  "  Mamma, 
mamma,  I  am  sorry,  oh,  so  sorry!  I  will  never, 
never  disobey  papa  or  yon  again." 

"  God  helping  you,  my  son;  if  you  trust  in  your 
own  strength  you  will  be  sure  to  fall." 

"  Yes,  mamma;  oh,  mamma,  I've  been  the  wicked- 
est boy!  I  disobeyed  my  father  and  shooted  him; 
and  oughtn't  I  to  have  a  dreadful  whipping?  Shall 
grandpa  do  it?" 

Mrs.  Travilla  lifted  her  full  eyes  inquiringly  to 
her  father's  face. 

"  It  is  all  his  own  idea,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore  with 
emotion;  "I  think  he  has  already  had  a  worse 
punishment  by  far  in  his  grief  and  remorse." 

Elsie  heaved  a  sigh  of  relief.  "I  think  his 
father  would  say  so  too;  it  shall  be  decided  by  him 
when  he  is  able.  Eddie,  my  son,  papa  is  too  ill  now 
to  say  what  shall  be  done  with  you.  I  think  he  does 
not  even  know  of  your  disobedience.  You  will  have 
to  wait  some  days.  The  suspense  will  be  hard  to 
bear,  I  know,  but  my  little  boy  must  try  to  be 
patient,  remembering  that  he  has  brought  all  this 
suffering  on  himself.  And  in  the  meantime  he  has 
mamma's  forgiveness  and  love,"  she  added,  folding 
him  to  her  heart  with  a  tender  caress. 

Sorely  the  children  missed  their  precious  half 
hour  with  mamma  that  night,  and  every  night  and 
morning  of  their  papa's  illness;  she  could  leave  him. 
only  long  enough  each  time  to  give  them  a  few  lov- 
ing words  and  a  kiss  all  round,  and  they  scarcely 


54  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

saw  her  through  the  day — were  not  admitted  to 
their  father's  room  at  all. 

But  they  were  very  good;  lessons  went  on  nearly 
as  usual,  little  Elsie  keeping  order  in  the  school- 
room, even  wilful  Eddie  quietly  submitting  to  her 
gentle  sway,  and  grandpa  kindly  attending  to  the 
recitations.  He  rode  out  with  them  too,  and  he, 
Aunt  Eosie,  or  their  mammies  took  them  for  a 
pleasant  walk  every  fine  day. 

Friends  and  neighbors  were  very  kind  and  atten- 
tive, none  more  so  than  the  Lelands.  Archie  told 
his  father  how,  and  by  whom,  poor  Eddie  had  been 
teased,  provoked,  and  dared  into  firing  the  pistol; 
Mr.  Leland  told  Mr.  Dinsmore  the  story,  and  he 
repeated  it  to  his  father  and  sisters. 

The  old  gentleman  was  sufficiently  incensed 
against  the  two  culprits  to  administer  a  severe  casti- 
gation  to  each,  while  Elsie  was  thankful  to  learn 
that  her  son  had  not  yielded  readily  to  the  tempta- 
tion to  disobedience.  She  pitied  him  deeply,  as  she 
noted  how  weary  to  him  were  these  days  of  waiting, 
how  his  gay  spirits  had  forsaken  him,  how  anxious 
he  was  for  his  father's  recovery;  how  he  longed  for 
the  time  when  he  should  be  permitted  to  go  to  him 
with  his  confession  and  petition  for  pardon. 

At  length  that  time  came.  Mr.  Travilla  was  so 
much  better  that  Dr.  Burton  said  it  would  do  him 
no  harm  to  see  his  children,  and  to  hear  all  the 
details  of  his  accident. 

The  others  were  brought  in  first  and  allowed  to 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  55 

spend  a  few  minutes  in  giving  and  receiving  ca- 
resses, their  little  tongues  running  very  fast  in  their 
exuberant  joy  over  their  restored  father. 

"  Elsie,  Vi,  Harold,  baby— but  where  is  Eddie?  " 
he  asked,  looking  a  little  anxiously  at  his  wife; 
"not  sick,  I  hope?" 

"  No,  my  dear,  he  will  be  in  presently,"  she  an- 
swered, the  tears  starting  to  her  eyes;  "  no  one  of 
them  all  has  found  it  harder  to  be  kept  away  from 
you  than  he.  But  there  is  something  he  has  begged 
me  to  tell  you  before  he  comes." 

"Ah! "  he  said,  with  a  troubled  look  in  his  eyes, 
a  suspicion  of  the  truth  dawning  upon  him.  "  Well, 
darlings,  you  may  go  now,  and  mamma  will  let  you 
come  in  again  before  your  bedtime." 

They  withdrew,  and  Elsie  told  her  story,  dwelling 
more  particularly  upon  the  strength  of  the  tempta- 
tion and  the  child's  agony  of  grief  and  remorse. 

"Bring  him  here,  wife,"  Mr.  Travilla  said,  his 
eyes  full,  his  voice  husky  with  emotion. 

There  was  a  sound  of  sobs  in  the  hall  without  as 
she  opened  the  door.  "  Come,  son,"  she  said,  taking 
his  hand  in  hers,  "  papa  knows  it  all  now." 

Half  eagerly,  half  tremblingly,  he  suffered  her  to 
lead  him  in. 

"Papa,"  he  burst  out  sobbingly,  scarcely  daring 
to  lift  his  eyes  from  the  floor,  "I've  been  a  very 
wicked,  bad  boy;  I  disobeyed  you  and — and " 

"  Come  here  to  me,  my  little  son."  How  gentle 
and  tender  were  the  tones. 


56  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Eddie  lifted  his  head  and  with  one  joyous  bound 
was  in  his  father's  arms,  clinging  about  his  neck 
and  sobbing  out  upon  his  breast  his  grief,  his  joy, 
his  penitence.  "  Papa,  papa,  can  you  forgive  such  a 
naughty,  disobedient  boy?  I'm  so  sorry  I  did  it! 
I'm  so  glad  you  didn't  die,  dear,  dear  papa!  so  glad 
you  love  me  yet." 

"  Love  you,  son?  I  think  if  you  knew  how  much, 
you  would  never  want  to  disobey  again." 

"  I  don't,  papa,  oh,  I  don't!  I  ask  God  earnestly 
every  day  to  give  me  a  new  heart,  and  help  me 
always  to  be  good.  But  mustn't  I  be  punished? 
Mamma  said  it  was  for  you  to  say,  and  grandpa 
didn't  whip  me  and  he  won't  'less  you  ask  him." 

"  And  I  shall  not  ask  him,  my  son.  I  fully  and 
freely  forgive  you,  because  I  am  sure  you  are  very 
sorry  and  do  not  mean  to  disobey  again." 

How  happy  the  child  was  that  at  last  his  father 
knew  and  had  forgiven  all. 

Mr.  Travilla  improved  the  occasion  for  a  short 
but  very  serious  talk  with  him  on  the  sin  and  danger 
of  disobedience,  and  his  words,  so  tenderly  spoken, 
made  a  deep  and  lasting  impression. 

But  Eddie  was  not  yet  done  with  the  pain  and 
mortification  consequent  upon  his  wrongdoing. 
That  afternoon  the  Ashland  ladies  called,  bringing 
with  them  the  elder  children  of  both  families. 
While  their  mammas  conversed  in  the  drawing-room 
the  little  people  gathered  in  the  veranda. 

All  was  harmony  and  good-will  among  them  till 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  57 

Philip  Boss,  fixing  his  eyes  on  Eddie,  said  with  a 
sneer,  "  So,  Master  Ed,  though  you  told  me  one 
day  you'd  never  talk  to  your  mamma  as  I  did  to 
mine,  you've  done  a  good  deal  worse.  I  don't  set 
up  for  a  pattern  good  boy,  but  I'd  die  before  I'd 
shoot  my  father." 

Eddie's  eyes  sought  the  floor,  while  his  lips  trem- 
bled and  two  great  tears  rolled  down  his  burning 
cheeks. 

"Phil  Eoss,"  cried  Gertrude,  "I'm  ashamed  of 
you!  of  course  he  didn't  do  it  a-purpose." 

"Maybe  not;  he  didn't  disobey  on  purpose! 
hadn't  his  father " 

But  catching  a  reproachful,  entreating  look  from 
Elsie's  soft,  brown  eyes,  he  stopped  short,  and  turn- 
ing away,  began  to  whistle  carelessly,  while  Vi,  put- 
ting her  small  arms  about  Eddie's  neck,  said:  "  Phil 
Eoss,  you  shouldn't  'suit  my  brother  so,  'cause  he 
wouldn't  'tend  to  hurt  papa;  no,  not  for  all 
the  world! "  Harold  chiming  in,  "  'Course  he 
wouldn't! "  and  Bruno,  whom  he  was  petting  and 
stroking  with  his  chubby  hands,  giving  a  short, 
sharp  bark,  as  if  he  too  had  a  word  to  say  in 
defence  of  his  young  master. 

"  Is  that  your  welcome  to  visitors,  Bruno?  "  quer- 
ied a  young  man  of  eighteen  or  twenty,  alighting 
from  his  horse  and  coming  up  the  steps  into  the 
veranda. 

"You  must  please  excuse  him  for  being  so  ill- 
mannered,  Cousin  Gal,"   little  Elsie  said,   coming 


58  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

forward  and  offering  her  hand  with  a  graceful  cour- 
tesy very  like  her  mamma's.  "  Will  you  walk  into 
the  drawing-room?  our  mammas  are  all  there." 

"  Presently,  thank  you,"  he  said,  bending  down  to 
snatch  a  kiss  from  the  sweet  lips. 

She  shrank  from  the  caress  almost  with  aversion. 

"  What's  the  use  of  being  so  shy  with  a  cousin?  * 
he  asked,  laughing.  "  Why  Molly  Percival  likes  to 
kiss  me." 

"  I  think  Molly  would  not  be  pleased  if  she  knew 
you  said  that,"  remarked  the  little  girl,  in  a  quiet 
tone,  and  moving  farther  from  him  as  she  spoke. 

"Holding  a  levee,  eh?"  he  said,  glancing  about 
upon  the  group.  "  How  d'ye,  young  ladies  and 
gentlemen?  Helloa,  Ed!  so  you're  the  brave  fellow 
that  shot  his  father?  Hope  your  grandfather  dealt 
out  justice  to  you  in  the  same  fashion  that  Wal  and 
Dick's  did  to  them." 

Eddie  could  bear  no  more,  but  burst  into  an  agony 
of  tears  and  sobs. 

"  Calhoun  Conly,  do  you  think  it  very  manly  for 
a  big  fellow  like  you  to  torment  such  a  little  one  as 
our  Eddie?"  queried  Elsie,  with  rising  indignation. 

"  No,  I  don't,"  he  said  frankly.  "  Never  mind 
Eddie,  I  take  it  all  back,  and  own  that  the  other 
two  deserve  the  lion's  share  of  the  blame,  and  pun- 
ishment too.  Come,  shake  hands  and  let's  make  up." 

Eddie  gave  his  hand,  saying  in  broken  tones,  "  I 
was  a  naughty  boy,  but  papa  has  forgiven  me,  and 
I  don't  mean  ever  to  disobey  him  any  more.'' 


CHAPTER  VI. 

So  false  is  faction,  and  so  smooth  a  liar, 
As  that  it  never  had  a  side  entire." 

— Daniel, 

By  the  first  of  December  Mr.  Travilla  had  entirely 
recovered  from  the  ill  effects  of  his  accident — which 
had  occurred  early  in  November — and  life  at  Ion 
resumed  its  usual  quiet,  regular,  but  pleasant  rou- 
tine, varied  only  by  frequent  exchange  of  visits  with 
the  other  families  of  the  connection,  and  near 
neighbors,  especially  the  Lelands. 

Because  of  the  presence  among  them  of  their 
Northern  relatives,  this  winter  was  made  a  gayer 
one  than  either  of  the  last  two,  which  had  seen  little 
mirth  or  jovialty  among  the  older  ones,  subdued  as 
they  were  by  recent,  repeated  bereavements.  Time 
had  now  somewhat  assuaged  their  grief,  and  only 
the  widowed  ones  still  wore  the  garb  of  mourning. 

A  round  of  family  parties  for  old  and  young  filled 
up  the  holidays;  and  again  just  before  the  departure 
of  the  Rosses  and  Allisons  in  the  early  spring  they 
were  all  gathered  at  Ion  for  a  farewell  day  together. 

Some  of  the  blacks  in  Mr.  Leland's  employ  had 
been  beaten  and  otherwise  maltreated  only  the  pre- 
vious night  by  a  band  of  armed  and  disguised  men, 


60  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

and  the  conversation  naturally  turned  upon  that 
occurrence. 

"So  the  Ku  Klux  outrages  have  begun  in  our 
neighborhood/'  remarked  Mr.  Horace  Dinsmore, 
and  went  on  to  denounce  their  proceedings  in  un- 
measured terms. 

The  faces  of  several  of  his  auditors  flushed 
angrily.  Enna  shot  a  fierce  glance  at  him,  mutter- 
ing "scalawag,"  half  under  her  breath,  while  his 
old  father  said  testily,  "Horace,  you  speak  too 
strongly.  I  haven't  a  doubt  the  rascals  deserved  all 
they  got.  Fm  told  one  of  them,  at  least,  had  in- 
sulted some  lady, — Mrs.  Foster,  I  believe, — and  that 
the  others  had  been  robbing  hen-roosts  and  smoke- 
houses." 

"  That  may  perhaps  be  so,  but  at  all  events  every 
man  has  a  right  to  a  fair  trial,"  replied  his  son, 
"and  so  long  as  there  is  no  difficulty  in  bringing 
such  matters  before  the  civil  courts,  there  is  no 
excuse  for  lynch  law,  which  is  apt  to  visit  its 
penalties  upon  the  innocent  as  well  as  upon  the 
guilty." 

At  this  George  Boyd,  who,  as  the  nephew  of  the 
elder  Mrs.  Carrington  and  a  member  of  the  Ash- 
lands  household,  had  been  invited  with  the  others, 
spoke  warmly  in  defence  of  the  organization,  assert- 
ing that  its  main  object  was  to  defend  the  helpless, 
particularly  in  guarding  against  the  danger  of  an 
insurrection  of  the  blacks. 

"There  is  not  the  slightest  fear  of  that,"  re« 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  61 

marked  Mr.  Travilla;  "there  may  be  some  few 
turbulent  spirits  among  them,  but  as  a  class  they 
are  quiet  and  inoffensive." 

"  Begging  your  pardon,  sir,"  said  Boyd,  "  I  find 
them  quite  the  reverse;  demanding  their  wages 
directly  they  are  due,  and  not  satisfied  with  what 
one  chooses  to  give.  And  that  reminds  me  that 
you,  sir,  and  Mr.  Horace  Dinsmore,  and  that  carpet* 
bagger  of  Fairview  are  entirely  too  liberal  in  the 
wages  you  pay." 

"  That  is  altogether  our  own  affair,  sir,"  returned 
Mr.  Dinsmore  haughtily.  "No  man  or  set  of  men 
shall  dictate  to  me  as  to  how  I  spend  my  money. 
What  do  you  say,  Travilla?  " 

"I  take  the  same  position;  shall  submit  to  no 
such  infringement  of  my  liberty  to  do  as  I  will  with 
my  own." 

Elsie's  eyes  sparkled:  she  was  proud  of  her  hus- 
band and  father.    Eose,  too,  smiled  approval. 

"Sounds  very  fine,"  growled  Boyd,  "but  I  say 
you've  no  right  to  put  up  the  price  of  labor." 

"  Papa,"  cried  young  Horace,  straightening  him- 
self and  casting  a  withering  look  upon  Boyd,  "I 
hope  neither  you  nor  Brother  Edward  will  ever  give 
in  to  them  a  single  inch.    Such  insolence! " 

"  Let  us  change  the  subject,"  said  old  Mr.  Dins- 
more, "  it  is  not  an  agreeable  one." 

It  so  happened  that  a  few  days  after  this  Messrs. 
Dinsmore,  Travilla,  and  Leland  were  talking  to- 
gether just  within  the  entrance  to  the  avenue  at 


62  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Ion  when  Wilkins  Foster,  George  Boyd,  and  Cal- 
houn Conly  came  riding  by. 

They  brought  their  horses  to  a  walk  as  they 
neared  the  gate,  and  Foster  called  out  sneeringly, 
"  Two  scalawags  and  a  carpet-bagger!  fit  company 
for  each  other." 

"  So  we  think,  sir,"  returned  Travilla  coolly, 
"though  we  do  not  accept  the  epithets  you  so 
generously  bestow  upon  us." 

"It  is  an  easy  thing  to  call  names;  any  fool  is 
equal  to  that,"  said  Mr.  Leland,  in  a  tone  of  un- 
ruffled good-nature. 

"  True;  and  the  weapon  of  vituperation  is  gener- 
ally used  by  those  who  lack  brains  for  argument  or 
are  upon  the  wrong  side,"  observed  Mr.  Dinsmore. 

"Is  that  remark  intended  to  apply  to  me,  sir?" 
asked  Foster,  drawing  himself  up  with  an  air  of 
hauteur  and  defiance. 

"  Not  particularly:  but  if  you  wish  to  prove  your- 
self skilled  in  the  other  and  more  manly  weapon, 
we  are  ready  to  give  you  the  opportunity." 

"  Yes;  come  in,  gentlemen,  and  let  us  have  a  free 
and  friendly  discussion,"  said  Mr.  Travilla. 

Boyd  and  Conly  at  once  accepted  the  invitation, 
but  Foster,  reining  in  his  horse  in  the  shade  of  a 
tree  at  the  gate,  said:  "No,  thank  you;  I  don't 
care  to  alight,  can  talk  from  the  saddle  as  well  as 
any  way.  I  call  you  scalawags,  Messrs.  Dinsmore 
and  Travilla,  because,  though  natives  of  the  South, 
you  have  turned  against  her." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  63 

"  Altogether  a  mistake/'  observed  Travilla. 

"I  deny  the  charge  and  call  upon  you  to  prove 
it,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore. 

"Easy  task;  you  kept  away  and  took  no  part  in 
our  struggle  for  independence." 

"  That  is  we  (I  speak  for  Travilla  as  well  as  my- 
self) had  no  share  in  the  effort  to  overthrow  the 
best  government  in  the  world,  the  hope  of  the  down- 
trodden and  oppressed  of  all  the  earth;  a  struggle 
which  we  foresaw  would  prove,  as  it  has,  the  almost 
utter  destruction  of  our  beloved  South.  They  who 
inaugurated  secession  were  no  true  friends  to 
her." 

"  Sir!  "  cried  Boyd,  with  angry  excitement,  "  ours 
was  as  righteous  a  cause  as  that  of  our  Revolution- 
ary fathers." 

Mr.  Dinsmore  shook  his  head.  "  They  fought 
against  unbearable  tyranny;  and  that  after  having 
exhausted  every  other  means  of  obtaining  a  redress 
of  their  grievances;  and  we  had  suffered  no  oppres- 
sion at  the  hands  of  the  general  government." 

"Hadn't  we?"  interrupted  Foster  fiercely. 
"Were  the  provisions  of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law 
carried  out  by  the  North?  didn't  some  of  the 
Northern  States  pass  laws  in  direct  opposition  to 
it?  and  didn't  Yankee  abolitionists  come  down  here 
interfering  with  our  institutions  and  enticing  our 
negroes  to  run  away,  or  something  worse  ?  " 

"  Those  were  the  acts  of  private  individuals,  and 
individual  States,    entirely    unsanctioned    by    the 


64  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

general  government,  which  really  had  always  rather 
favored  us  than  otherwise." 

"  But  uncle,"  said  Conly,  "  there  would  have  been 
no  secession  but  for  the  election  of  Lincoln,  an 
abolition  candidate." 

"And  who  elected  him?  who  but  the  Democrats 
of  the  South?  They  made  a  division  in  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  purposely  to  enable  the  Eepublicans  to 
elect  their  man,  that  they  might  use  his  election  as 
a  pretext  for  secession." 

A  long  and  hot  discussion  followed,  each  one 
present  taking  more  or  less  part  in  it.  It  was  first 
the  causes  of  the  war,  then  the  war  itself;  after 
that  the  reconstruction  policy  of  Congress,  which 
was  bitterly  denounced  by  Foster  and  Boyd. 

"  Never  was  a  conquered  people  treated  so  shame- 
fully! "  cried  the  former,  "  it  is  a  thing  hitherto 
unheard  of  in  the  history  of  the  world,  that  gentle- 
men should  be  put  under  the  rule  of  their  former 


"Softly,  softly,  sir,"  said  Leland;  "surely  you 
forget  that  the  terms  proposed  by  the  fourteenth 
amendment  substantially  left  the  power  of  the 
State  governments  in  your  hands  and  enabled  you 
to  limit  suffrage  and  office  to  the  white  race.  But 
you  rejected  it,  and  refused  to  take  part  in  the  pre- 
liminary steps  for  reorganizing  your  State  govern- 
ments. So  the  blacks  acquired  the  right  to  vote  and 
hold  office:  they  were,  as  a  class,  well  meaning,  but 
ignorant.,  and  their  old  masters  refusing  to  accept 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  65 

office  at  their  hands,  or  advise  them  in  regard  to 
their  new  duties,  they  fell  an  easy  prey  to  unscru- 
pulous white  men,  whose  only  care  was  to  enrich 
themselves  by  robbing  the  already  impoverished 
States,  through  corrupt  legislation.*  Now,  sir,  who 
was  it  that  really  put  you  under  the  rule  of  your 
former  slaves,  if  you  are  there?  " 

Foster  attempted  no  reply,  but  merely  reiterated 
his  assertion  that  no  conquered  people  had  ever 
been  so  cruelly  used;  to  which  Messrs.  Travilla, 
Dinsmore,  and  Leland  replied  with  a  statement  of 
facts,  i.  e.,  that  before  the  war  was  fairly  over  the 
Government  began  to  feed,  clothe,  shelter,  and  care 
for  the  destitute  of  both  colors,  and  millions  were 
distributed  in  supplies;  that  in  1865  a  bureau  was 
organized  for  this  purpose,  and  expended  in  relief, 
education,  and  aid  to  people  of  both  colors,  and  all 
conditions,  $13,230,327.40;  while  millions  more 
were  given  by  charitable  associations  and  citi- 
zens of  the  North:  that  the  Government  sold 
thousands  of  farm  animals  in  the  South,  at 
low  rates,  and  large  quantities  of  clothing 
and  supplies  at  merely  nominal  prices,  that 
there  had  been  no  executions  for  treason,  no 
confiscation  of  lands,  but  that  some  estates  aban- 
doned by  the  owners  during  the  war,  and  taken 
possession  of  and  cultivated  by  the  Government, 
had  been  returned  in  better  condition  than  they 
would  have  been  in  if  permitted  to  lie  idle;  that 
•See  report  of  Congressional  Committee  of  Investigation. 


66  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

the  railroads  of  the  South  were  worn  out  by  the 
war,  woodwork  rotted,  rails  and  machinery  worn 
out;  that  the  Government  forces  as  they  advanced, 
captured  the  lines,  repaired  the  tracks,  rebuilt 
bridges,  and  restored  and  renewed  the  rolling  stock, 
that  at  the  close  of  the  war  the  Government  might 
have  held  all  these  lines,  but  instead  turned  them 
over  to  the  stockholders,  sold  them  the  rolling  stock 
at  low  rates,  and  on  long  time,  and  advanced 
millions  of  dollars  to  the  Southern  railroads;  that 
there  were  debts  estimated,  when  the  war  began,  at 
three  hundred  millions  of  dollars  due  the  merchants 
of  the  North;  that  they  compounded  with  their 
Southern  debtors,  abating  more  than  half  their  dues 
and  extending  time  for  the  payment  of  the  remain- 
der; that  a  bankrupt  act  was  passed  enabling  those 
hopelessly  involved  to  begin  business  anew.  Sound 
institutions  took  the  places  of  the  old  broken  banks, 
and  United  States  currency  that  of  Confederate 
notes,  etc.,  etc.* 

Foster  attempted  no  denial  of  these  facts,  but 
spoke  bitterly  of  corruption  among  the  State 
government  officials,  resulting  in  ruinous  taxation, 
etc. 

His  antagonists  freely  admitted  that  there  had 
been  frauds  and  great  extravagance,  yet  claimed 
that  neither  party  was  responsible  for  these,  but 
members  of  both  and  persons  belonging  to  neither 
who  cared  only  for  their  own  gains.*    "  And  who," 

*  See  Reports  of  Congressional  Committee  of  Investigation. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  67 

they  asked,  "are  responsible  for  their  success  in 
obtaining  the  positions  which  enable  them  thus  ta 
rob  the  community?  " 

"  They  had  no  vote  from  me/'  said  Foster.  "  But,, 
I  say  it  again,  we.  have  been  shamefully  treated; 
if  they'd  confiscated  my  property  and  cut  off  my 
head,  I'd  have  suffered  less  than  I  have  as  things 
have  gone." 

"Why  not  petition  Congress  for  those  little  fa- 
vors? Possibly  it  may  not  yet  be  too  late,"  re- 
turned Leland,  laughing. 

This  ended  the  talk;  Foster  put  spurs  to  his  horse 
and  rode  off  in  a  rage. 

"  Come,  Conly,  we've  surely  had  enough  of  this? 
Eepublican  discourse:  let  us  go  also,"  said  Boyd,, 
and  with  a  haughty  wave  of  his  hand  to  the  others, 
he  hurried  into  the  road  and  remounted. 

But  Conly  did  not  follow.  Elsie  joined  the  group 
at  that  moment  and,  laying  her  hand  on  his  arm, 
said  with  one  of  her  sweetest  smiles:  "Don't  go, 
Cal,  you  must  stay  and  take  tea  with  us;  it  is  already 
on  the  table." 

"  Thank  you,  I  will,"  he  said  with  a  pleased  look. 

He  was  one  of  his  cousin's  ardent  admirers,  think- 
ing her  the  most  beautiful,  intelligent,  fascinating 
woman  he  had  ever  seen. 

She  extended  her  invitation  to  Leland  and  Boyd, 
Mr.  Travilla  seconding  it  warmly^  but  it  was  cour- 
teously declined  by  both,  and  each  went  his  way. 

"Papa,  you  will  not  forsake  us?"  Elsie  said  gayly, 


68  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

putting  both  hands  into  his  and  smiling  up  into  his 
face,  her  sweet  soft  eyes,  brimful  of  fond,  filial 
affection;  "  but  you  know  you  are  at  home  and  need 
no  invitation." 

"  Yes,"  he  said,  returning  the  smile,  and  holding 
the  hands  fast  for  a  moment,  "  I  am  at  home  and 
shall  stay  for  an  hour  or  so." 


CHAPTER   VII. 

Disguise,  I  see  thou  art  a  wickedness, 
Wherein  the  pregnant  enemy  does  much. 

Shatopere'a  Twelfth  Night. 

"Will  you  walk  into  the  library,  gentlemen?  I 
have  just  received  a  package  of  new  books,  which, 
perhaps,  you  would  like  to  examine/'  said  Mr.  Tra- 
villa  to  his  guests  as  they  left  the  tea-table. 

"  Presently,  thank  you,"  Mr.  Dinsmore  answered, 
catching  Elsie's  eye,  and  perceiving  that  she  had 
something  for  his  private  ear. 

She  took  his  arm  and  drew  him  out  to  her  flower 
garden,  while  her  husband  and  Calhoun  sought  the 
library. 

"Papa,  I  want  a  word  with  you  about  Cal.  I 
do  not  like  Foster  and  Boyd;  that  is,  they  seem  to 
me  to  be  unprincipled  men,  of  violent  temper  and 
altogether  very  bad  associates  for  him;  and  you 
must  have  noticed  how  intimate  he  is  with  them  of 
late." 

"  Yes,  I  regret  it,  but  have  no  authority  to  for- 
bid the  intimacy." 

"I  know;  but,  papa,  you  have  great  influence; 
he  is  proud  to  be  known  as  your  nephew;  and  don't 


70  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

you  think  you  might  be  able  to  induce  him  to  give 
them  up  for  some  better  friend — my  brother,  for 
instance?  Papa,  he  is  twenty-one  now,  and  are  not 
his  principles  sufficiently  fixed  to  enable  him  to 
lead  Cal  and  Arthur,  doing  them  good  instead  of 
being  injured  by  association  with  them?" 

"Yes,  you  are  right;  Horace  is  not  one  to  be 
easily  led,  and  Calhoun  is.  I  am  glad  you  have 
spoken  and  reminded  me  of  my  duty." 

"  My  dear  father,  please  do  not  think  I  was  mean- 
ing to  do  that,"  she  cried,  blushing;  "  it  would  be 
stepping  out  of  my  place.  But  Edward  and  I  have 
had  several  talks  about  Cal  of  late,  and  decided  that 
we  will  make  him  very  welcome  here,  and  try  to  do 
him  good.  Edward  suggested,  too,  what  a  good  and 
helpful  friend  Horace  might  be  to  him,  if  you 
approved,  and  I  said  I  would  speak  to  you  first, 
and  perhaps  to  my  brother  afterward." 

"  Quite  right.  I  think  Horace  will  be  very  will- 
ing. I  should  be  loath  to  have  him  drawn  into  inti- 
macy with  Boyd  or  Foster,  but  as  he  likes  neither 
their  conduct  nor  their  principles,  I  have  little  fear 
of  that." 

They  sauntered  about  the  garden  a  few  moments 
longer,  then  rejoined  the  others,  who  were  still  in 
the  library. 

The  children  were  romping  with  each  other  and 
Bruno-on  the  veranda  without;  the  merry  shouts, 
the  silvery  laughter  coming  pleasantly  in  through 
the  open  windows. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  7; 

"  How  happy  they  seem,  Cousin  Elsie,"  remarked 
Calhoun,  turning  to  her. 

"Yes,  they  are/'  she  answered,  smiling.  "You 
are  fond  of  children,  Cal  ?  " 

"  Yes;  suppose  you  let  me  join  them." 

"  Suppose  we  all  do,"  suggested  Mr.  Dinsmore, 
seeing  Travilla  lay  aside  his  book,  and  listen  with 
a  pleased  smile  to  the  glad  young  voices. 

"With  all  my  heart,"  said  the  latter  as  he  rose 
and  led  the  way;  "I  find  nothing  more  refreshing 
after  the  day's  duties  are  done  than  a  romp  with 
my  children." 

For  the  next  half  hour  they  were  all  children 
together;  then  Aunt  Chloe  and  Dinah  came  to  take 
the  little  ones  to  bed,  and  Elsie,  after  seeing  her 
guests  depart,  followed  to  the  nursery. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  rode  over  to  Eoselands  with  his 
nephew,  conversing  all  the  way  in  a  most  entertain- 
ing manner,  making  no  allusion  to  politics  or  to 
Boyd  or  Foster. 

Calhoun  was  charmed,  and  when  his  uncle  urged 
him  to  visit  the  Oaks  more  frequently,  observing 
that  he  had  been  there  but  one  since  Horace's 
return  from  college,  and  proposing  that  he  should 
begin  by  coming  to  dinner  the  next  day  and  staying 
as  long  as  suited  his  convenience,  the  invitation 
was  accepted  with  alacrity  and  delight. 

On  returning  home  Mr.  Dinsmore  explained  his 
views  and  wishes,  with  regard  to  Calhoun,  to  his 
wife  and  son,  who  at  once  cordially  fell  in  with 


V 


V2  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

them  in  doing  all  they  could  to  make  his  visit  enjoy- 
able. In  fact,  so  agreeable  did  he  find  it  that  his 
stay  was  prolonged  to  several  days. 

The  morning  papers  one  day  brought  news  of 
several  fresh  Ku  Klux  outrages,  beatings,  shoot- 
ings, hanging. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  read  the  account  aloud  at  the 
breakfast  table,  and  again  made  some  remarks 
against  the  organization. 

Calhoun  listened  in  silence,  then  as  Mr.  Dinsmore 
laid  the  paper  down,  "Uncle/*  said  he  doubtfully, 
and  with  downcast  troubled  look,  "  don't  you  think 
the  reconstruction  acts  form  some  excuse  for  the 
starting  of  such  an  organization?" 

"  Let  the  facts  answer/'  returned  Mr.  Dinsmore: 
"the  organization  existed  as  early  as  1866;  the 
reconstruction  acts  were  passed  in  March,  1867."  * 

"Ah,  yes,  sir,  I  had  forgotten  the  dates;  I've 
heard  that  reason  given;  and  another  excuse  is  the 
fear  of  a  conspiracy  among  the  negroes  to  rob  and 
murder  the  whites :  and  I  think  you  can't  deny  that 
they  are  thievish." 

"  I  don't  deny,  Cal,  that  some  individuals  among 
them  have  been  guilty  of  lawless  acts,  particularly 
stealing  articles  of  food;  but  they  are  poor  and 
ignorant;  have  been  kept  in  ignorance  so  long  that 
we  cannot  reasonably  expect  in  them  a  very  strong 
sense  of  the  rights  of  property  and  the  duty  of 
obedience  to  law;  yet  I  have  never  been  able  to  dis- 
*See  Reports  of  Congressional  Committee  of  Investigation 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  73 

cover  any  indications  of  combined  lawlessness 
among  them.  On  the  contrary  they  are  themselves 
fearful  of  attack." 

"Well,  sir,  then  there  were  those  organizations 
in  the  other — the  Kepublican  party;  the  Union 
Leagues  and  Kedstrings.  Fve  been  told  the  Ku 
Klux  Klan  was  gotten  up  in  opposition  to  them." 

"I  presume  so,  but  Union  Leaguers  and  Ked- 
strings do  not  go  about  in  disguise,  robbing,  beat- 
ing, murdering." 

"But  then  the  carpet-baggers,"  said  Calhoun, 
waxing  warm,  "  putting  mischief  into  the  negroes' 
heads,  getting  into  office  and  robbing  the  State 
in  the  most  shameless  wholesale  manner;  they're 
excuse  enough  for  the  doings  of  the  Ku  Klux." 

"  Ah!  "  said  his  uncle,  "  but  you  forget  that  their 
organization  was  in  existence  before  the  robberies 
of  the  State  began:  also  that  they  do  not  trouble 
corruptionists:  and  why?  because  they  are  men  of 
both  parties;  some  of  them  men  who  direct  and 
control,  and  might  easily  suppress,  the  Klan.  No, 
no,  Cal,  judged  out  of  their  own  mouths,  by  their 
words  to  their  victims,  with  some  of  whom  I  have 
conversed,  their  ruling  motives  are  hostility  to  the 
Government,  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  negro  of  the 
rights  given  him  by  the  amendments  to  the  Consti- 
tution, and  by  the  laws  which  they  are  organized  to 
oppose.*  Their  real  object  is  the  overthrow  of  the 
State  governments  and  the  return  of -the  negro  to 

*  See  Reports  of  Congressional  Committee  of  Investigation. 


?4  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

bondage.  And  tell  me,  Cal,  do  you  look  upon  these 
midnight  attacks  of  overpowering  numbers  of  dis- 
guised men  upon  the  weak  and  helpless,  some  of 
them  women,  as  manly  deeds?  Is  it  a  noble  act  for 
white  men  to  steal  from  the  poor  ignorant  black 
his  mule,  his  arms,  his  crops,  the  fruit  of  his  hard 
labor?  " 

"  No,  sir,"  returned  Calhoun  half -reluctantly,  his 
face  flushing  hotly. 

"No,  emphatically  no,  say  I! "  cried  Horace,  Jr.; 
"what  could  be  more  base,  mean,  or  cowardly?" 

"You  don't  belong,  do  you,  Cal?"  asked  Eosie 
suddenly. 

He  dropped  his .  knife  and  fork,  his  face  fairly 
ablaze.  "What — what  could  you  make  you  think 
that,  Eosie  ?  No,  no,  I — don't  belong  to  any  organi- 
zation that  acknowledges  that  name." 

A  suspicion  for  the  first  time  flashed  upon  Mr. 
Dinsmore,  a  suspicion  of  the  truth.  Calhoun  Conly 
was  already  a  member  of  the  White  Brotherhood, 
the  name  by  which  the  Klan  was  known  among 
themselves,  Ku  Klux  being  the  one  given  to  the 
world  at  large;  that  thus  they  might  avail  them- 
selves of  the  miserable,  Jesuitical  subterfuge  Cal- 
houn had  just  used. 

He  had  been  wheedled  into  joining  it  by  Foster 
and  Boyd,  who  utterly  deceived  him  in  regard  to 
its  objects.  He  had  never  taken  part  in  the  out- 
rages, and  was  now  fully  determined  that  he  never 
would;  resolving  that  while  keeping  its  secrets,  the 


m 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  75 

penalty  of  the  exposure  of  which  was  death,  he 
would  quietly  withdraw  and  attend  no  more  of  its 
meetings.  He  understood  the  language  of  the 
searching  look  Mr.  Dinsmore  gave  him,  and  seized 
the  first  opportunity  for  a  word  in  private,  to  vindi- 
cate himself. 

"Uncle,"  he  said  with  frank  sincerity,  "I  am 
not  free  to  tell  you  everything,  as  I  could  wish,  but 
I  hope  you  will  believe  me  when  I  assure  you  that 
I  never  had  any  share  in  the  violent  doings  of  the 
Ku  Klux,  and  never  will." 

Mr.  Dinsmore  bent  upon  him  a  second  look  of 
keen  scrutiny.  Conly  bore  it  without  flinching;  and 
extending  his  hand,  his  uncle  replied,  "I  think  I 
understand  the  situation:  but  I  will  trust  you,  Cal, 
and  not  fear  that  in  entertaining  you  here  I  am 
harboring  a  hypocrite  and  spy  who  may  betray  my 
family  and  myself  into  the  hands  of  midnight 
assassins." 

"Thanks,  uncle,  you  shall  never  have  cause  to 
repent  of  your  confidence,"  the  lad  answered  with 
a  flush  of  honest  pride. 

He  returned  to  Eoselands  the  next  day,  and  went; 
directly  to  an  uppe?  room,  at  some  distance  from 
those  usually  occupied  by  the  family,  from  whence 
came  the  busy  hum  of  a  sewing  machine. 

The  door  was  securely  fastened  on  the  inner  side, 
but  opened  immediately  in  response  to  three  quick, 
sharp  taps  of  a  pencil  which  Calhoun  took  from  his 
pocket. 


76  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

It  was  his  mother's  face  that  looked  cautiously 
out  upon  him.  "  Oh,  you  have  returned/'  she  said 
in  an  undertone;  "  well,  come  in.  I'm  glad  to  see 
you." 

He  stepped  in,  and  she  locked  the  door  again,  and 
sitting  down,  resumed  the  work,  which  it  seemed 
had  been  laid  aside  to  admit  him.  She  was  making 
odd  looking  rolls  of  cotton  cloth,  stuffing  them 
with  cotton  wool. 

Mrs.  Johnson,  the  only  other  person  present,  was 
seated  before  the  sewing  machine  stitching  a  seam 
in  a  long  garment  of  coarse,  white  linen. 

"How  d'ye  do,  Cal? "  she  said,  looKing  up  for  an 
instant  to  give  him  a  nod. 

He  returned  the  greeting,  and  taking  a  chair  by 
Mrs.  Conly's  side,   "All  well,  mother?"  he  asked. 

"  Quite.  You're  just  in  time  to  tell  me  whether 
these  are  going  to  look  right.  You  know  we've 
never  seen  any,  and  have  only  your  description  to 
goby." 

She  held  up  a  completed  roll.  It  looked  like  a 
horn,  tapering  nearly  to  a  point. 

"  I  think  so,"  he  said;  "  but,  mother,  you  needn't 
finish  mine:  I  shall  never  use  it." 

"  Calhoun  Conly,  what  do  you  mean?  "  she  cried, 
dropping  the  roll  into  her  lap  and  gazing  at  him 
with  kindling  eyes. 

"You're  not  going  to  back  out  of  it  now?"  ex- 
claimed Enna,  leaving  her  machine  and  approach- 
ing him  in  sudden   and   violent   anger.    "You'd 


ELSIE' 8  MOTHERHOOD.  77 

better  take  care,  coward!  they'll  kill  you  if  you 
turn  traitor;  and  right  they  should  too." 

"  I  shall  not  turn  traitor/'  he  said  quietly;  "  but 
neither  shall  I  go  any  farther  than  I  have  gone. 
I  should  never  have  joined,  if  Boyd  and  Foster 
hadn't  deceived  me  as  to  the  objects  of  the  organiza- 
tion." 

"  But  you  have  joined,  Cal,  and  I'll  not  consent 
to  your  giving  it  up,"  said  his  mother. 

"  I  don't  like  to  vex  you,  mother,"  he  answered, 
reddening,  "but " 

"  But  you'll  have  your  own  way,  whether  it  dis- 
pleases me  or  not?    A  dutiful  son,  truly." 

"This  is  Horace's  work,  and  he's  a  scalawag,  if 
he  is  my  brother,"  cried  Enna,  with  growing  pas- 
sion; "  but  if  I  were  you,  Cal  Conly,  I'd  be  man 
enough  to  have  an  opinion  of  my  own,  and  stick 
to  it." 

"Exactly  what  I'm  doing,  Aunt  Enna.  I  went 
into  the  thing  blindfold;  I  have  found  out  what  it 
really  is — a  cruel,  cowardly,  lawless  concern — and 
I  wash  my  hands  of  it  and  its  doings." 

Bowing  ceremoniously,  he  unlocked  the  door  and 
left  the  room. 

Enna  sprang  to  it  and  fastened  it  after  him. 
"  If  he  was  my  son,  I'd  turn  him  out  of  the  house." 

"Father  would  hardly  consent,"  replied  her 
sister;  "and  if  he  did,  what  good  would  it  do? 
Horace  or  Travilla  would  take  him  in  of  course." 

"  Well,  thank  Heaven,  Boyd  and  Foster  are  made 


78  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

of  sterner  stuff,  and  our  labor's  not  all  lost,"  said 
Enna,  returning  to  her  machine. 

The  two  ladies  had  been  spending  many  hours 
every  day  in  that  room  for  a  week  past,  no  one  but 
Calhoun  being  admitted  to  their  secrets,  for 
whether  in  the  room  or  out  of  it  they  kept  the  door 
always  carefully  locked. 

The  curiosity  of  servants  and  children  was 
strongly  excited,  but  vain  had  been  all  their  ques- 
tions and  coaxing,  futile  every  attempt  to  solve 
the  mystery  up  to  the  present  time. 

But  three  or  four  days  after  Calhoun's  return 
from  the  Oaks  the  thought  suggested  itself  to  mis- 
chievous, prying  Dick  and  his  coadjutor  Walter, 
that  the  key  of  some  other  lock  in  the  house  might 
fit  that  of  the  door  they  so  ardently  desired  to  open. 
They  only  waited  for  a  favorable  opportunity  to  test 
the  question  in  the  temporary  absence  of  their 
mothers  from  that  part  of  the  building,  and  to 
their  great  joy  discovered  that  the  key  of  the  bed- 
room they  shared  together  was  the  duplicate  of  the 
one  which  had  so  long  kept  their  masculine  curi- 
osity at  bay. 

It  turned  readily  in  the  lock,  and  with  a  smoth- 
ered exclamation  of  delight  they  rushed  in  and 
glanced  eagerly  about. 

At  first  they  saw  nothing  in  any  way  remarkable 
—the  familiar  furniture,  the  sewing  machine,  the 
work-table  and  baskets  of  their  mothers,  a  few 
shreds  of  white  cotton  and  linen,  a  scrap  here  and 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  79 

there  of  red  braid  littering  the  carpet  near  the 
machine,  and  the  low  rocking-chair  used  by  Mrs. 
Conly. 

"Pooh!  nothing  here  to  be  so  secret  about/5 
cried  Walter,  but  Dick,  nodding  his  head  wisely 
said:  "Let's  look  a  little  further.  What's  in  that 
closet?" 

They  ran  to  it,  opened  the  door,  and  started  back 
in  sudden  momentary  affright. 

"  'Taint  alive,"  said  Dick,  the  bolder  of  the  two, 
quickly  recovering  himself;  "horrid  thing!  I 
reckon  I  know  what  'tis,"  and  he  whispered  a  few 
words  in  his  companion's  ear. 

Walter  gave  a  nod  of  acquiescence  in  the  opinion. 

"Here's  another  'most  finished,"  pursued  Dick, 
dragging  out  and  examining  a  bundle  he  found 
lying  on  the  closet  floor.  (The  one  which  had  so 
startled  them  hung  on  the  wall.)  "We'll  have 
some  fun  out  of  'em  one  of  these  times  when  it's 
ready,  eh,  Wal?" 

"  Yes,  but  let's  put  'em  back,  and  hurry  off  now, 
for  fear  somebody  should  come  and  catch  us.  I'm 
afraid  those  folks  in  the  drawing-room  may  go,  and 
our  mothers  come  up  to  their  work  again." 

"So  they  might,  to  be  sure,"  said  Dick,  rolling 
up  the  bundle  and  bestowing  it  in  its  former  rest- 
ing place.  "We  must  be  on  the  watch,  Wal,  or 
we'll  miss  our  chance;  they'll  be  sending  them  out 
o*  this  about  as  soon  as  they're  finished." 

"Yes.    Who  do  you  think  they're  for?" 


80  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

(The  boys  scorned  the  rules  of  English  grammar, 
and  refused  to  be  fettered  by  them.  Was  not  theirs 
a  land  of  free  speech — for  the  aristocratic  class  to 
which  they  undoubtedly  belonged?) 

"  Cal  and  Art,  of  course." 

"  Don't  you  believe  it,  Art  cares  for  nothing  but 
his  books  and  Silverheels.  Wasn't  that  a  jolly 
birthday  present,  Dick?  I  wish  Travilla  and  Cousin 
Elsie  would  remember  ours  the  same  way." 

"Beckon  I  do.  There,  everything's  just  as  ttre 
found  it.    Now  let's  skedaddle." 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

A  horrid  spectre  rises  to  my  sight, 
Close  by  my  side,  and  plain,  and  palpable 
In  all  good  seeming  and  close  circumstance 
As  man  meets  man. 

— Joanna  Baillie. 

It  was  a  sultry  summer  night,  silent  and  still, 
not  a  leaf  stirring,  hardly  so  much  as  the  chirp  of 
an  insect  to  be  heard.  The  moon  looked  down 
from  a  cloudless  sky  upon  green  lawns  and  mead- 
ows, fields,  and  forests  clothed  in  richest  verdure; 
gardens,  where  bloomed  lovely  flowers  in  the  great- 
est variety  and  profusion,  filling  the  air  in  their 
immediate  vicinity  with  an  almost  overpowering 
sweetness;  a  river  flowing  silently  to  the  sea;  cabins 
where  the  laborer  rested  from  his  toil,  and  lordlier 
dwellings,  where  perchance  the  rich  man  tossed 
restlessly  on  his  more  luxurious  couch. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Travilla  had  spent  the  earlier  part 
of  the  evening  at  the  Oaks,  and  after  their  return, 
tempted  by  the  beauty  of  the  night,  had  sat  con- 
versing together  in  the  veranda  long  after  their 
usual  hour  for  retiring.  Now  they  were  both  sleep- 
ing soundly. 

Perhaps  the  only  creature  awake  about  the  house 
or  on  the  plantation   was  Bungy  the  great  watch 

81 


82  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

dog,  who,  released  from  the  chain  that  bound  him 
during  the  day,  was  going  his  rounds  keeping  guard 
over  his  master's  property. 

A  tiny  figure  clothed  in  white  stole  noiselessly 
from  the  house,  flitted  down  the  avenue,  out  into 
the  road  beyond,  and  on  and  on  till  lost  to  view  in 
the  distance.  So  light  was  the  tread  of  the  little 
bare  feet  that  Bungy  did  not  hear  it,  nor  was 
Bruno,  sleeping  on  the  veranda,  aroused. 

On  and  on  it  glided,  the  little  figure,  now  in  the 
shadow  of  the  trees  that  skirted  the  roadside,  now 
out  in  the  broad  moonbeams  where  they  fell  un- 
impeded upon  dew-laden  grass  and  dusty  highway 
alike. 

Ion  had  been  left  more  than  a  mile  behind,  yet 
farther  and  farther  the  bit  feetie  were  straying, 
farther  from  home  and  love  and  safety,  when  a 
grotesque,  hideous  form  suddenly  emerged  from  a 
wood  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road. 

Seemingly  of  gigantic  stature,  it  wore  a  long, 
white  garment,  that,  enveloping  it  from  head  to 
foot,  trailed  upon  the  ground,  rattling  as  it  moved, 
and  glistening  in  the  moonlight;  the  head  was 
adorned  with  three  immense  horns,  white,  striped 
with  red,  a  nose  of  proportional  size,  red  eyes  and 
eyebrows,  and  a  wide,  grinning  red  mouth,  filled 
with  horrible  tusks,  out  of  which  lolled  a  long  red 
tongue. 

Catching  sight  of  the  small  white  form  gliding 
along  on  the  other  side  of  the  road,  it  uttered  a 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  83 

low  exclamation  of  mingled  wonder,  awe,  and  super- 
stitious dread. 

But  at  that  instant  a  distant  sound  was  heard 
like  the  rumble  of  approaching  wheels,  and  it 
stepped  quickly  behind  a  tree. 

Another  minute  or  so  and  a  stage  came  rattling 
down  the  road,  the  hideous  monster  stepped  boldly 
out  from  the  shadow  of  the  tree,  there  was  the 
sharp  crack  of  a  rifle,  and  the  driver  of  the  stage 
tumbled  from  his  high  seat  into  the  road.  The 
horses  started  madly  forward,  but  some  one  caught 
the  reins  and  presently  brought  them  to  a  stand- 
still. 

"Ku  Klux!"  exclaimed  several  voices,  as  the 
trailing,  rattling  white  gown  disappeared  in  the 
recesses  of  the  wood. 

The  stage  door  was  thrown  open,  three  of  four 
men  alighted,  and  going  to  the  body  stooped  over 
it,  touched  it,  spoke  to  it,  asking,  "  Are  you  badly 
hurt,  Jones?" 

But  there  was  no  answer. 

"Dead,  quite  dead,"  said  one. 

"Yes,  what  shall  we  do  with  him?" 

"  Lift  him  into  the  stage  and  take  him  to  the  next 
town." 

The  last  speaker  took  hold  of  the  head  of  the 
corpse,  the  others  assisted,  and  in  a  few  moments 
the  vehicle  was  on  its  way  again  with  its  load  of 
living  and  dead. 

No  one  had  noticed  the  tiny  white  figure  whicbi 


84  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

now  crouched  behind  a  clump  of  bushes  weeping 
bitterly  and  talking  to  itself,  but  in  a  subdued  way, 
as  if  fearful  of  being  overhead. 

"  Where  am  I?  Oh,  mamma,  papa,  come  and  help 
your  little  Vi!  I  don't  know  how  I  got  here.  Oh, 
where  are  you,  my  own  mamma?  "  A  burst  of  sobs; 
then  "  Oh,  I'm  so  'fraid!  and  mamma  can't  hear 
me,  nor  papa;  but  Jesus  can;  I'll  ask  him  to  take 
care  of  me;  and  he  will." 

The  small  white  hands  folded  themselves  together 
and  the  low  sobbing  cry  went  up,  "  Dear  Jesus,  take 
care  of  your  little  Yi  and  don't  let  anysing  hurt 
her;  and  please  bring  papa  to  take  her  home." 

At  Ion  little  Elsie  woke  and  missed  her  sister. 
They  slept  together  in  a  room  opening  into  the 
nursery  on  one  side  and  the  bedroom  of  their 
parents  on  the  other.  Doors  and  windows  stood 
wide  open,  and  the  moon  gave  sufficient  light  for  the 
child  to  see  at  a  glance  that  Vi  was  no  longer  by  her 
side. 

Slipping  out  of  bed,  she  went  softly  about  search- 
ing for  her,  thinking  to  herself  the  while,  "  She's 
walking  in  her  sleep  again,  dear  little  pet,  and  I'm 
afraid  she  may  get  hurt;  perhaps  fall  downstairs." 

She  had  heard  such  fears  expressed  by  her  papa 
and  mamma  since  of  late  Violet  had  several  times 
risen  and  strayed  about  the  house  in  a  state  of 
somnambulism. 

Elsie  passed  from  room  to  room,  growing  more 
and  more  anxious  and  alarmed  every  moment  at 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  85 

her  continued  failure  to  find  any  trace  of  the  miss- 
ing one.    She  must  have  help. 

Dinah,  who  had  care  of  the  little  ones,  slept  in 
the  nursery.  Going  up  to  her  bed,  Elsie  shook  her 
gently. 

"What's  de  matter,  honey?"  asked  the  girl, 
opening  her  eyes  and  raising  herself  to  a  sitting 
posture. 

"  Where's  Violet?    I  can't  find  her." 

"Miss  Wi'let?  aint  she  fas'  asleep  side  o'  you, 
Miss  Elsie?" 

"  No,  no,  she  isn't  there,  nor  in  any  of  mamma's 
rooms.  I've  looked  through  them  all.  Oh,  Dinah, 
where  is  she?  We  must  find  her:  come  with  me, 
quick! " 

Dinah  was  already  out  of  bed  and  turning  up  the 
night  lamp. 

"  I'll  go  all  ober  de  house,  honey,"  she  said,  "  but 
'spect  you  better  wake  yo'  pa.  He'll  want  to  look 
for  Miss  Wi'let  hisself." 

Elsie  nodded  assent,  and  hastening  to  his  side 
softly  stroked  his  face  with  her  hand,  kissed  him, 
and  putting  her  lips  close  to  his  ear,  whispered  half 
sobbingly.  "  Papa,  papa,  Vi's  gone!  we  can't  find 
her." 

He  was  wide  awake  instantly.  "Kun  back  to 
your  bed,  darling,"  he  said;  "and  don't  cry;  papa 
will  soon  find  her."  • 

He  succeeded  in  throwing  on  his  clothes  and 
leaving  the  room  without  rousing  his  wife.     He 


86  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

felt  some  anxiety,  but  the  idea  that  the  child  had 
left  the  house  never  entered  his  mind  until  a  thor- 
ough search  seemed  to  give  convincing  proof  that 
she  was  not  in  it. 

He  went  out  upon  the  veranda.  Bruno  rose, 
stretched  himself,  and  uttered  a  low  whine. 

"Bruno,  where  is  our  little  Violet?"  asked  Mr. 
Travilla,  stooping  to  pat  the  dog's  head  and  showing 
him  the  child's  slipper,  "  lead  the  way,  sir;  we  must 
find  her."    There  was  a  slight  tremble  in  his  tones. 

"  Dinah,"  he  said,  turning  to  the  girl,  who  stood 
sobbing  in  the  doorway,  "if  your  mistress  wakes 
while  I  am  gone,  tell  her  not  to  be  alarmed;  no 
doubt  with  Bruno's  help  I  shall  very  soon  find  the 
child  and  bring  her  safely  back.  See,  he  has  the 
scent  already,"  as  the  dog,  who  had  been  snuffing 
about,  suddenly  started  off  at  a  brisk  trot  down  the 
avenue. 

Mr.  Travilla  hurried  after,  his  fatherly  heart 
beating  with  mingled  hope  and  fear. 

On  and  on  they  went,  closely  following  in  the 
footsteps  of  the  little  runaway.  The  dog  presently 
left  the  road  that  passed  directly  in  front  of  Ion  and 
turned  into  another,  crossing  it  at  right  angles, 
which  was  the  stage  route  between  the  next  town 
and  the  neighboring  city. 

It  was  now  some  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  since  the 
stage  had  passed  this  spot  bearing  the  dead  body  of 
the  driver  who  had  met  h;s  tragical  end  some  quar- 
ter of  a  mile  beyond. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  87 

The  loud  rumble  of  the  wheels  had  waked  little 
Vi,  and  as  in  a  flash  she  had  seen  the  whole — the 
horrible  apparition  in  its  glistening,  rattling  robes 
step  out  from  behind  a  tree  and  fire,  and  the  tumble 
of  its  victim  to  the  dusty  road.  Then  she  had  sunk 
down  upon   the  ground  overpowered  with  terror. 

But  the  thought  of  the  almighty  Friend  who,  she 
had  been  taught,  was  ever  near  and  able  to  help, 
calmed  her  fears  somewhat. 

She  was  still  on  her  knees  sobbing  out  her  little 
prayer  over  and  over  again,  when  a  dark  object 
bounded  to  her  side,  and  Bruno's  nose  was  thrust 
rather  unceremoniously  into  her  face. 

"Bruno,  you  good  Bruno!"  she  cried,  clasping 
her  arms  about  his  neck,  "  take  me  home!  take  me 
home! " 

"Ah,  papa  will  do  that,  now  he  has  found  his 
lost  darling,"  said  a  loved  voice,  as  a  strong  arm 
put  aside  the  brushes  and  grasped  her  slight  form 
with  a  firm,  but  tender  hold.  "  How  came  my  little 
pet  here  so  far  away  from  home?  "  he  asked,  draw- 
ing her  to  his  breast. 

"  I  don't  know,  papa,"  she  sobbed,  nestling  in  his 
arms  and  clinging  about  his  neck,  her  wet  cheek 
laid  close  to  his;  "that  carriage  waked  me,  and  I 
was  'way  out  here,  and  that  dreadful  thing  was  over 
there  by  a  tree,  and  it  shooted  the  man,  and  he 
tumbled  off  on  the  ground.  Oh,  papa,  hurry,  hurry 
fast,  and  let's  go  home;  it  might  come  back  and 
shoot  us  too." 


88  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  What  thing,  daughter?  "  he  asked,  soothing  her 
with  tender  caresses,  as  still  holding  her  to  his 
breast   he  walked  rapidly  toward  home. 

"  Great  big  white  thing,  with  horns,  papa." 

"  I  think  my  pet  has  been  dreaming?  " 

"  No,  no,  papa,  I  did  see  it,  and  it  fired,  and  the 
man  tumbled  off,  and  the  horses  snorted  and  ran  so 
fast;  then  they  stopped,  and  the  other  mans  came 
back,  and  I  heard  them  say,  (  He's  killed;  he's  quite 
dead.'  Oh,  papa,  I'm  so  frightened!  "  and  she  clung 
to  him  with  convulsive  grasp,  sobbing  almost 
hysterically. 

"  There,  there,  darling;  papa  has  you  safe  in  his 
arms.  Thank  God  for  taking  care  of  my  little  pet," 
he  said,  clasping  her  closer,  and  quickening  his  pace, 
while  Bruno,  wagging  his  tail  and  barking  joyously, 
gambolled  about  them,  now  leaping  up  to  touch  his 
tongue  to  the  little  dusty  toes,  now  bounding  on 
ahead,  and  anon  returning  to  repeat  his  loving 
caress;  and  so  at  last  they  arrived  at  home. 

Mr.  Travilla  had  scarcely  left  the  house  ere  the 
babe  waked  his  mother.  She  missed  her  husband 
at  once,  and  hearing  a  half  smothered  sob  coming 
from  the  room  occupied  by  her  daughters,  she  rose, 
and  with  the  babe  in  her  arms  hastened  to  ascer- 
tain the  cause. 

She  found  Elsie  alone,  crying  on  the  bed  with  her 
face  half  hidden  in  the  pillows. 

"My  darling,  what  is  it?"  asked  the  mother's 
sweet  voice.     "But  where  is  Vi?" 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  89 

"Oh,  mamma,  I  don't  know;  that  is  the  reason 
I  can't  help  crying,"  said  the  child,  raising  herself 
and  putting  her  arms  about  her  mother's  neck,  as 
the  latter  sat  down  on  the  side  of  the  bed.  "  But 
don't  be  alarmed,  mamma,  for  papa  has  gone  to 
find  her." 

"  Where,  daughter?  she  cannot  have  gone  out  of 
the  house,  surely?" 

At  this  instant  Dinah  appeared  and  delivered  her 
master's  message. 

To  obey  his  injunction  not  to  be  alarmed  was 
quite  impossible  to  the  loving  mother  heart,  but 
she  endeavored  to  conceal  her  anxiety  and  to  over- 
come it  by  casting  her  care  on  the  Lord.  The  babe 
had  fallen  asleep  again,  and  laying  him  gently  down, 
she  took  Elsie  in  her  arms  and  comforted  her  with 
caresses  and  words  of  hope  and  cheer. 

"  Mamma,"  said  the  little  girl,  "  I  cannot  go  to 
sleep  again  till  papa  comes  back."     i 

"No,  I  see  you  can't,  nor  can  I,  so  we  will  put 
on  our  dressing-gowns  and  slippers,  and  sit  together 
at  the  window,  to  watch  for  him,  and  when  we  see 
him  coming  up  the  avenue  with  Vi  in  his  arms  we 
will  run  to  meet  them." 

So  they  did,  and  the  little  lost  one,  found  again, 
was  welcomed  by  mother  and  sister,  and  afterward 
by  nurse  and  mammy,  with  tender,  loving  words, 
caresses,  and  tears  of  joy. 

Then  Dinah  carried  her  to  the  nursery,  washed 
the  soiled,  tired  little  feet,  changed  the  draggled 


90  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

night-gown  for  a  fresh  and  clean  one,  and  with 
many  a  hug  and  honeyed  word,  carried  her  back  to 
bed,  saying,  as  she  laid  her  down  in  it,  "Now, 
darlin',  don't  you  git  out  ob  heyah  no  mo'  till 
mornin'." 

"  No,  I'll  hold  her  fast;  and  papa  has  locked  the 
doors  so  she  can't  get  out  of  these  rooms,"  said 
Elsie,  throwing  an  arm  over  Vi. 

"  Yes,  hold  me  tight,  tight,"  murmured  Vi,  cud- 
dling down  close  to  her  sister,  and  almost  immedi- 
ately falling  asleep,  for  she  was  worn  out  with 
fatigue  and  excitement. 

Elsie  lay  awake  some  time  longer,  her  young  heart 
singing  for  joy  over  her  recovered  treasure,  but  at 
length  fell  asleep  also,  with  the  murmur  of  her 
parents'  voices  in  her  ears. 

They  were  talking  of  Violet,  expressing  their 
gratitude  to  God  that  no  worse  consequences  had 
resulted  from  her  escapade,  and  consulting  together 
how  to  prevent  a  repetition  of  it. 

Mr.  Travilla  repeated  to  his  wife  the  child's 
story  of  her  awaking,  and  what  she  had  seen  and 
heard. 

"  Oh,  my  poor  darling,  what  a  terrible  fright  for 
her! "  Elsie  exclaimed;  "  but  do  you  not  think  it 
must  have  been  all  a  dream?" 

"  That  was  my  first  thought;  but  on  further  con- 
sideration I  fear  it  may  have  been  another  Ku  Klux 
outrage.  I  dare  say  the  disguise  worn  by  them 
may  answer  to  her  description  of  '  the  horrible  thing 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  91 

that  shooted  the  man ';  I  judge  so  from  what  I  have 
heard  of  it." 

"But  who  could  have  been  the  victim?"  she 
asked  with  a  shudder. 

"  I  do  not  know.  But  her  carriage  was  probably 
the  stage:  it  was  about  the  hour  for  it  to  pass." 

Day  was  already  dawning,  and  they  did  not  sleep 
again. 

Mr.  Travilla  had  gone  on  his  regular  morning 
round  over  the  plantation,  and  Elsie  stole  softly 
into  the  room  of  her  little  daughters. 

Though  past  their  usual  hour  for  rising  they  still 
slept,  and  she  meant  to  let  them  do  so  as  long  as 
they  would.  They  made  a  lovely  picture  lying  there 
clasped  in  each  other's  arms.  Her  heart  swelled 
with  tender  emotions,  love,  joy,  and  gratitude  to 
Him  who  had  given  these  treasures  and  preserved 
them  thus  far  from  all  danger  and  evil.  She  bent 
over  them,  pressing  a  gentle  kiss  upon  each  round 
rosy  cheek. 

Little  Elsie's  brown  eyes  opened  wide,  and  put- 
ting her  arm  about  her  mother's  neck,  "  Mamma," 
she  whispered,  with  a  sweet,  glad  smile,  "was  not 
God  very  good  to  give  us  back  our  Vi?" 

"Yes,  dearest,  oh,  so  much  better  than  we  de- 
serve! " 

Violet  started  up  to  a  sitting  posture.  "  Mamma, 
oh,  mamma,  I  did  have  a  dreadful,  dreadful  dream! 
— that  I  was  'way  off  from  you  and  papa,  out  in  the 
night  in  the  woods,  and  I  saw " 


92  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

She  ended  with  a  burst  of  frightened  sobs  and 
tears,  hiding  her  face  on  the  bosom  of  her  mother, 
who  already  held  her  closely  clasped  to  her  beating 
heart. 

"  Don't  think  of  it,  darling,  you  are  safe  now  in 
your  own  dear  home  with  papa  and  mamma  and 
sister  and  brothers/'  Tender,  soothing  caresses 
accompanied  the  loving  words. 

"Mamma,  did  I  dream  it?"  asked  the  child,  lift- 
ing her  tearful  face,  and  shuddering  as  she  spoke. 

The  mother  was  too  truthful  to  say  yes,  though 
she  would  have  been  glad  her  child  should  think 
it  but  a  dream. 

"Perhaps  some  of  it  was,  daughter,"  she  said, 
"  though  my  pet  did  walk  out  in  her  sleep;  but  papa 
is  going  to  manage  things  so  that  she  can  never  do 
it  again.    And  God  will  take  care  of  us,  my  darling." 

The  sobs  grew  fainter  and  softly  sighing,  "Yes, 
mamma,"  she  said,  "  I  asked  him  to  send  papa  to 
bring  me  home,  and  he  did." 

"  And  papa  came  in  here  this  morning  and  kissed 
both  his  girls  before  he  went  downstairs.  Did  you 
know  that?  " 

"Did  he?  Oh,  I  wish  Fd  waked  to  give  him  a 
good  hug! " 

"  I  too,"  said  Elsie.  "  Papa  loves  us  very  much, 
doesn't  he,  mamma?" 

"  Dearly,  dearly,  my  child;  you  and  all  his  little 
ones." 

Vi's  tears  were  dried,  and  when  her  father  came 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  93 

in  she  met  him  with  a  cheerful  face,  quite  ready 
for  the  customary  romp,  but  days  passed  ere  she 
was  again  her  own  bright,  merry  self,  or  seemed 
content  unless  clinging  close  to  one  or  the  other 
of  her  parents. 

While  the  family  were  at  the  breakfast  table 
Uncle  Joe  came  in  with  the  mail,  his  face  full  of 
excitement  and  terror. 

"  Dem  Ku  Kluxes  dey's  gettin'  awful  dangerous, 
massa,"  he  said,  laying  down  the  bag  with  a  trem- 
bling hand;  "dey's  gone  an'  shot  the  stage  drivah 
an'  killed  'um  dead  on  the  spot.  Las'  night,  sah, 
jes  ober  yondah  in  de  road  todder  side  o'  Mars  In- 
land's place,  and " 

Mr.  Travilla  stopped  him  in  the  midst  of  his 
story  with  a  warning  gesture  and  an  anxious  glance 
from  one  to  another  of  the  wondering,  half  fright- 
ened little  faces  about  the  table. 

"Another  time  and  place,  Uncle  Joe." 

"Yes,  sah,  beg  pardon,  sah,  Massa  Edard,"  and 
the  old  man,  now  growing  quite  infirm  from  age, 
hobbled  away  talking  to  himself.  "  Sure  nuff,  you 
ole  fool,  Joe,  might  'a  knowed  you  shouldn't  tole 
no  such  tings  fo'  de  chillum." 

"  Was  it  'bout  my  dream,  papa?  "  Vi  asked  with 
quivering  lip  and  fast  filling  eyes. 

"  Never  mind,  little  daughter;  we  needn't  trouble 
about  our  dreams,"  he  said  cheerily,  and  began  talk- 
ing of  something  else,  in  a  lively  strain  that  soon 
set  them  all  to  laughing. 


94  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

It  was  not  until  family  worship  was  over  and  the 
children  had  left  the  room  that  he  said  to  his  wife, 
"  The  Ku  KLux  were  abroad  last  night,  and  I  have 
no  doubt  Uncle  Joe's  story  is  quite  true,  and  that 
our  poor  little  Vi  really  saw  the  murder." 

Elsie  gave  him  a  startled,  inquiring  look.  "  You 
have  another  proof?" 

"Yes;  Lei  and  and  I  met  in  going  our  rounds 
this  morning,  and  he  told  me  he  had  found  a 
threatening  note,  signed  'K.  K.  K.,?  tacked  to  his 
gate,  and  had  torn  it  down  immediately,  hoping  to 
conceal  the  matter  from  his  wife,  who,  he  says,  is 
growing  nervously  fearful  for  his  safety." 

"  Oh,  what  a  dreadful  state  of  things !  Do  these 
madmen  realize  that  they  are  ruining  their  coun- 
try?" 

"  Little  they  care  for  that,  if  they  can  but  gain 
their  ends — the  subversion  of  the  Government,  and 
the  return  of  the  negro  to  his  former  state  of 
bondage." 

She  was  standing  by  his  side,  her  hand  on  his 
,  arm.  "  My  husband,"  she  said  in  trembling  tones, 
looking  up  into  his  face  with  brimming  eyes,  "  what 
may  they  not  do  next?  I  begin  to  fear  for  you  and 
my  father  and  brother." 

"I  think  you  need  not,  little  wife,"  he  said, 
drawing  her  head  to  a  resting  place  on  his  shoul- 
der, and  passing  his  hand  caressingly  over  her  hair; 
"I  think  they  will  hardly  meddle  with  us,  natives 
of  the  place,  and   men    of   wealth  and  influence. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  95 

And,"  he  added  low  and  reverently,  "are  we  not 
all  in  the  keeping  of  Him  without  whom  not  one 
hair  of  our  heads  can  fall  to  the  ground?  " 

"Yes,  yes,  I  will  trust  and  not  be  afraid,"  she 
answered,  smiling  sweetly  through  her  tears.  Then 
catching  sight,  through  the  open  window,  of  a 
couple  of  horsemen  coming  up  the  avenue,  "Ah, 
there  are  papa  and  Horace  now! "  she  cried,  run- 
ning joyfully  out  to  meet  them. 

"  Have  you  heard  of  last  night's  doings  of  thfl 
Ku  Klux?"  were  the  first  words  of  Horace,  Jr., 
when  the  greetings  had  been  exchanged. 

"  Eun  away,  dears,  run  away  to  your  play,"  Elsie 
said  to  her  children,  and  at  once  they  obeyed. 

"Uncle  Joe  came  in  this  morning  with  a  story 
that  Jones  the  stage  driver  had  been  shot  by  them 
last  night  in  this  vicinity,"  Mr.  Travilla  answered, 
"  but  I  stopped  him  in  the  midst  of  it,  as  the  chifc 
dren  were  present.    Is  it  a  fact?" 

"  Only  too  true,"  replied  Mr.  Dinsmore. 

"Yes,"  said  Horace,  "I  rode  into  the  town  be- 
fore breakfast,  found  it  full  of  excitement,  the  story 
on  everybody's  tongue,  and  quite  a  large  crowd 
about  the  door  of  the  house  where  the  body  of  the 
murdered  man  lay." 

"  And  is  the  murderer  still  at  large?  "  asked  Elsie. 

"  Yes;  and  the  worst  of  it  is  that  no  one  seems 
to  have  the  least  idea  who  he  is." 

"  The  disguise  preventing  recognition,  of  course/' 
said  Mr.  Travilla. 


96  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Then  the  grandfather  and  nncle  were  surprised 
with  an  account  of  little  Vi's  escapade. 

"If  Violet  were  my  child,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore, 
"I  should  consult  Dr.  Burton  about  her  at  once. 
There  must  be  undue  excitement  of  the  brain  that 
might  be  remedied  by  proper  treatment." 

Elsie  cast  an  anxious  look  at  her  husband. 

"I  shall  send  for  the  doctor  immediately,"  he 
said,  and  summoning  a  servant,  despatched  him  at 
once  upon  the  errand. 

"Don't  be  alarmed,  daughter,"  Mr.  Dinsmore 
said;  "  doubtless  a  little  care  will  soon  set  matters 
right  with  the  child." 

"Yes;  I  do  not  apprehend  any  thing  serious,  if 
the  thing  is  attended  to  in  time,"  Mr.  Travilla 
added  cheerfully;  then  went  on  to  tell  of  the  notice 
affixed  to  Fairview  gate. 

They  were  all  of  the  opinion  that  these  evil 
doers  should,  if  possible,  be  brought  to  justice;  but 
the  nature  and  extent  of  the  organization  rendered 
it  no  easy  matter  for  the  civil  courts  to  deal  with 
them.  The  order  being  secret,  the  members  were 
known  as  such  only  among  themselves;  when 
strangers,  recognizing  each  other  by  secret  signs. 
They  were  sworn  to  aid  and  defend  a  brother  mem- 
ber under  all  circumstances;  were  one  justly  accused 
of  crime,  others  would  come  forward  and  prove  an 
alibi  by  false  swearing;  were  they  on  the  jury,  they 
would  acquit  him  though  perfectly  cognizant  of  his 
guilt.    In  some  places  the  sheriff  and  his  deputies 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  97 

were  members,  perhaps  the  judge  also.*  Thus  it 
happened  that  though  one  or  two  persons  who  had 
been  heard  to  talk  threateningly  about  Jones,  as 
"  a  carpet-bagger  and  Republican,  who  should  be 
gotten  rid  of,  by  fair  means  or  foul,"  were  arrested 
on  suspicion,  they  were  soon  set  at  liberty  again, 
and  his  death  remained  unavenged. 

♦See  Reports  of  Congressional  Committee  of  Investigation. 


CHAPTEE  IX. 

I  feel  my  sinews  slackened  with  the  fright, 
And  a  cold  sweat  thrills  down  o'er  all  my  limbs 
As  if  I  were  dissolving  into  water. 

— Dryden. 

Eaely  one  evening,  a  few  days  subsequent  to  the 
tragical  death  of  Jones,  the  Ion  family  carriage, 
well  freighted,  was  bowling  along  the  road  leading 
toward  the  Oaks. 

A  heavy  shower  had  laid  the  dust  and  cooled  the 
air,  and  the  ride  past  blooming  hedgerows  and  fer- 
tile fields  was  very  delightful.  The  parents  were  in 
cheerful  mood,  the  children  gay  and  full  of  life  and 
fun. 

"  Oh,  yonder  is  grandpa's  carriage  coming  this 
way! "  cried  Eddie,  as  they  neared  the  cross-road 
which  must  be  taken  to  reach  Eoselands  in  the  one 
direction   and  Ashlands  in  the  other. 

"  Yes,  turn  out  here,  Solon,  and  wait  for  them  to 
come  up,"  said  Mr.  Travilla. 

"On  your  way  to  the  Oaks?"  Mr.  Dinsmore 
queried  as  his  carriage  halted  alongside  of  the  other. 
"  Well,  we  will  turn  about  and  go  with  you." 

"No,  we  were  going  to  Eoselands;  but  will  put 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  99 

off  the  call  to  another  day,  if  you  were  coming  to 
Ion,"  Mr.  Travilla  answered. 

No,  the  Dinsmores  had  not  set  out  for  Ion,  but 
to  visit  Sophie  at  Ashlands;  Daisy,  her  youngest 
child,  was  very  ill. 

"  I  wish  you  would  go  with  us,  Elsie,"  Kose  said 
to  Mrs.  Travilla.  "  I  know  it  would  be  a  comfort 
to  Sophie  to  see  you." 

"  Yes,  we  have  plenty  of  room  here,"  added  Mr. 
Dinsmore;  "and  your  husband  and  children  can 
certainly  spare  you  for  an  hour  or  so." 

Elsie  looked  inquiringly  at  her  husband. 

"Yes,  go,  wife,  if  you  feel  inclined,"  he  said 
pleasantly.  "  The  children  shall  not  lose  their  ride, 
I  will  go  on  to  Eoselands  with  them,  make  a  short 
call,  as  I  have  a  little  business  with  your  grand- 
father, then  take  them  home." 

"And  we  will  have  their  mother  there  probably 
shortly  after,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore. 

So  the  exchange  was  made  and  the  carriages  drove 
on,  taking  opposite  directions  when  they  came  to 
the  cross-road. 

Arrived  at  Eoselands,  Mr.  Travilla  found  only 
the  younger  members  of  the  family  at  home,  the 
old  gentleman  having  driven  out  with  his  daugh- 
ters. Calhoun  thought,  however,  that  they  would 
return  shortly,  and  was  hospitably  urgent  that  the 
visitors  should  all  come  in  and  rest  and  refresh 
themselves. 

The  younger  cousins  joined  in  the  entreaty,  and 


100  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

his  own  children  seeming  desirous  to  accept  the 
invitation,  Mr.  Travilla  permitted  them  to  do  so. 

They,  with  Aunt  Chloe  and  Dinah,  were  pres- 
ently carried  off  to  the  nursery  by  Molly  Percival 
and  the  Conly  girls,  while  their  father  walked  into 
the  grounds  with  Calhoun  and  Arthur. 

"Wal,"  whispered  Dick  to  his  cousin,  drawing 
him  aside  unnoticed  by  the  rest,  who  were  wholly 
taken  up  with  each  other,  "now's  our  time  for 
some  fun  with  those  Ku  Klux  things.  They  must 
be  about  done,  and  I  reckon  will  be  packed  off  out 
o'  the  house  before  long." 

"Walter  nodded  assent;  they  stole  unobserved  from 
the  room,  flew  up  to  their  own  for  the  key,  hurried 
to  the  sewing-room  of  their  mothers,  and  finding 
there  two  disguises  nearly  completed,  sufficiently 
so  for  their  purpose,  arrayed  themselves  in  them, 
slipped  unseen  down  a  back  staircase,  and  dashing 
open  the  nursery  door,  bounded  with  a  loud  whoop 
into  the  midst  of  its  occupants. 

Children  and  nurses  joined  in  one  wild  shriek  of 
terror,  and  made  a  simultaneous  rush  for  the  doors, 
tumbling  over  each  other  in  their  haste  and  affright. 

But  fortunately  for  them,  Mr.  Travilla  and  Cal- 
houn had  come  in  from  the  grounds,  were  on  their 
way  to  the  nursery,  and  entered  it  from  the  hall  but 
a  moment  later  than  the  boys  did  by  the  opposite 
door. 

Mr.  Travilla  instantly  seized  Dick  (Calhoun  doing 
the  same  by  Walter),  tore  off  his  disguise,  and  pick- 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  101 

ing  up  a  riding-whip,  lying  conveniently  at  hand, 
administered  a  castigation  that  made  the  offender 
yell  and  roar  for  mercy. 

"You  scoundrel!"  replied  the  gentleman,  still 
laying  on  his  blows,  "  I  have  scant  mercy  for  a  great 
strong  boy  who  amuses  himself  by  frightening 
women  and  helpless  little  children." 

"But  you're  not  my  father,  and  have  no  right, 
oh,  oh,  oh! "  blubbered  Dick,  trying  to  dodge  the 
blows  and  wrench  himself  free.  "  I'll — I'll  sue  you 
for  assault  and  battery." 

"  Very  well,  I'll  give  you  plenty  while  I'm  about 
it,  and  if  you  don't  want  a  second  dose  you  will 
refrain  from  frightening  my  children  in  future." 

It  was  an  exciting  scene,  Walter  getting  almost 
as  severe  handling  from  Calhoun,  nurses  and  chil- 
dren huddling  together  in  the  farthest  corner  of  the 
room,  Baby  Herbert  screaming  at  the  top  of  his 
voice,  and  the  others  crying  and  sobbing  while 
shrinking  in  nervous  terror  from  the  hideous  dis- 
guises lying  in  a  heap  upon  the  floor. 

"  Oh,  take  them  away!  take  them  away,  the  horrid 
things! "  screamed  Virginia  Conly,  shuddering  and 
hiding  her  face.  "Wal  and  Dick,  you  wicked 
wretches,  I  don't  care  if  they  half  kill  you." 

"Papa,  papa,  please  stop.  Oh,  Cal,  don't  whip 
him  any  more.  I'm  sure  they'll  never  do  it  again," 
pleaded  little  Elsie  amid  her  sobs  and  tears,  holding 
Vi  fast  and  trying  to  soothe  and  comfort  her. 

"  There,  go,"  said  Calhoun,  pushing  Walter  from 


102  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

the  room,  "  and  if  ever  I  catch  you  at  such  a  trick 
again   I'll  give  you  twice  as  much." 

Dick,  released  by  his  captor  with  a  like  threat, 
hastened  after  his  fellow  delinquent,  blubbering  and 
muttering  angrily  as  he  went. 

Calhoun  gathered  up  the  disguises,  threw  them 
into  a  closet,  locked  the  door,  and  put  the  key  into 
his  pocket. 

"  There! "  said  he,  "  they're  out  of  sight  and 
couldn't  come  after  us  if  they  were  alive;  and  there's 
no  life  in  them;  and  little  else  but  linen  and 
cotton." 

Baby  Herbert  ceased  his  cries  and  cuddled  down 
on  Aunt  Chloe's  shoulder;  the  other  four  ran  to 
their  father. 

He  encircled  them  all  in  his  arms,  soothing  them 
with  caresses  and  words  of  fatherly  endearment. 
"  There,  there,  my  darlings,  dry  your  tears;  papa 
will  take  care  of  you;  nothing  shall  hurt  you." 

"  Papa,  they's  like  that  horrid  thing  that  shooted 
the  man,"  sobbed  Vi,  clinging  to  him  in  almost 
frantic  terror.  "  Oh,  don't  let's  ever  come  here  any 
more! " 

"I  so  frightened,  papa,  I  so  frightened;  p'ease 
tate  Harold  home,"  sobbed  the  little  fellow,  the 
others  joining  in  the  entreaty. 

"Yes,  we  will  go  at  once,"  said  Mr.  Tra villa, 
rising,  Vi  in  one  arm,  Harold  in  the  other;  and, 
motioning  to  the  servants  to  follow,  he  was  about 
to  leave  the  room  when  Calhoun  spoke. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  103 

*  Do  not  go  yet,  Mr.  Travilla;  I  think  grandpa 
and  the  ladies  will  be  here  directly." 

"  Thanks,  but  I  will  see  Mr.  Dinsmore  at  another 
time.  Now  my  first  duty  is  to  these  terrified  little 
ones." 

"I  am  exceedingly  sorry  for  what  has  occurred; 
more  mortified  than  I  can  express " 

"No  need  for  apology,  Conly;  but  you  must  see 
the  necessity  for  our  abrupt  departure.  Good-even- 
ing to  you  all." 

Calhoun  followed  to  the  carriage  door,  helped  to 
put  the  children  in,  then  addressing  Mr.  Travilla, 
"  I  see  you  doubt  me,  sir,"  he  said,  "  and  not  with- 
out reason,  I  own;  yet  I  assure  you  I  have  no  prop- 
erty in  those  disguises,  never  have  worn,  and  never 
will  wear,  such  a  thing — much  less  take  part  in  the 
violence  they  are  meant  to  protect  from  punish- 
ment." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  so,  Cal.  Good-even- 
ing." And  the  carriage  whirled  away  down  the 
avenue. 

The  rapid  motion  and  the  feeling  that  the  objects 
of  their  affright  were  being  left  far  behind,  seemed 
to  soothe  and  reassure  the  children,  yet  each  sought 
to  be  as  near  as  possible  to  their  loved  protector. 

Harold  and  the  babe  soon  fell  asleep,  and  on 
reaching  home  were  carried  directly  to  bed;  but  the 
older  ones  begged  so  hard  to  be  allowed  to  "stay 
with  papa  till  mamma  came  home,"  that  he  could 
not  find  it  in  his  heart  to  refuse  them. 


104  ELSIE'S  MOTEEREOOD. 

The  Dinsmore  party  found  Sophie  devoting  her- 
self to  her  sick  child;  the  attack  had  been  sudden 
and  severe,  and  all  the  previous  night  the  mother 
had  watched  by  the  couch  of  the  little  sufferer  with 
an  aching  heart,  fearing  she  was  to  be  taken  from 
her;  but  now  the  danger  seemed  nearly  over,  a 
favorable  change  having  taken  place  during  the 
day. 

Daisy  had  fallen  into  a  quiet  slumber,  and  leaving 
the  nurse  to  watch  at  the  bedside  the  mother  re- 
ceived and  conversed  with  her  friends  in  an  adjoin- 
ing room. 

Though  evidently  very  glad  to  see  them,  she 
seemed,  after  the  first  few  moments,  so  depressed 
and  anxious,  that  at  length  her  sister  remarked  it, 
and  asked  if  there  were  any  other  cause  than  Daisy's 
illness. 

"Yes,  Kose,"  she  said,  "I  must  own  that  I  am 
growing  very  timid  in  regard  to  these  Ku  Klux 
outrages.  Since  they  have  taken  to  beating  and 
shooting  whites  as  well  as  blacks,  women  as  well  as 
men,  who  shall  say  that  we  are  safe?  I,  a  Northern 
woman  too,  and  without  a  protector." 

"  I  do  not  think  they  will  molest  a  lady  of  your 
standing,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore;  "the  widow,  too,  of 
a  Confederate  officer.  But  where  is  Boyd,  that  you 
say  you  are  without  a  protector?  " 

A  slight  shudder  ran  over  Sophie's  frame. 
"Boyd?"  she  said,  drawing  her  chair  nearer  and 
speaking  in  an  undertone,  "he  is  my  great  dread, 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  105 

and  for  fear  of  wounding  mother's  feelings  I  have 
had  to  keep  my  terrors  to  myself.  I  know  that  he 
is  often  out,  away  from  the  plantation,  all  night. 
I  have  for  weeks  past  suspected  that  he  was  a  Ku 
Klux,  and  last  night,  or  rather  early  this  morning, 
my  suspicions  were  so  fully  confirmed  that  they  now 
amount  almost  to  certainty.  I  had  been  up  all  night 
with  Daisy,  and  a  little  before  sunrise,  happening  to 
be  at  the  window,  I  saw  him  stealing  into  the  house 
with  a  bundle  under  his  arm — something  white 
rolled  up  in  the  careless  sort  of  way  a  man  would 
do  it." 

"I  am  not  surprised,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore;  "he 
is  just  the  sort  of  man  one  would  expect  to  be  at 
such  work — headstrong,  violent-tempered,  and 
utterly  selfish  and  unscupulous.  Yet  I  think  you 
may  dismiss  your  fears  of  him,  and  feel  it  rather  a 
safeguard  than  otherwise  to  have  a  member  of  the 
Klan  in  your  family." 

"It  may  be  so,"  she  said  musingly,  the  cloud 
of  care  partially  lifting  from  her  brow. 

"And  at  all  events  you  are  not  without  a  pro- 
tector, dear  sister,"  whispered  Kose,  as  she  bade 
adieu.  " '  A  father  of  the  fatherless,  and  a  judge 
of  the  widows  is  God  in  his  holy  habitation/  " 

Elsie  too  had  a  word  of  sympathy  and  hope  for 
her  childhood's  friend,  and  with  warm  invitations 
to  both  the  Oaks  and  Ion  as  soon  as  Daisy  could  be 
moved  with  safety,  they  left  her,  greatly  cheered 
and  refreshed  by  their  visit. 


106  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"My  heart  aches  for  her,"  Elsie  said  as  they 
drove  away;  "  what  a  sad,  sad  thing  to  be  a  widow! " 

"  Yes; "  responded  Rose,  "  and  to  have  lost  your 
husband  so — fighting  against  the  land  of  your  birth 
and  love." 

There  was  a  long  pause,  broken  by  a  sudden,  half 
frightened  exclamation  from  Rosie.  "  Papa!  what 
if  we  should  meet  the  Ku  Klux! " 

"  Not  much  danger,  I  think;  they  are  not  apt  to 
be  abroad  so  early.    And  we  are  nearing  Ion." 

"  I  presume  Edward  has  reached  home  before  us," 
remarked  Elsie.  "  I  wonder  how  my  little  ones  en- 
joyed their  first  visit  to  Roselands  without  their 
mother." 

She  soon  learned;  for  she  had  scarcely  set  foot  in 
the  veranda  ere  they  were  clinging  about  her  and 
pouring  out  the  story  of  their  terrible  fright. 

She  pitied,  soothed,  and  comforted  them,  trying 
to  dispel  their  fears  and  lead  them  to  forgive  those 
who  had  ill-used  them,  though  it  cost  no  small  effort 
to  do  so  herself. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Forgive,  and  ye  shall  be  forgiven. 

— Luke  vi.  37. 

Calhoun  Conly  was  much  perturbed  by  the 
occurrences  of  the  evening.  He  was  fond  of  his 
cousin  Elsie  and  her  children,  and  very  sorry,  for 
both  her  sake  and  theirs,  that  they  had  suffered 
this  fright;  he  greatly  respected  and  liked  Mr.  Tra- 
villa  too,  and  would  fain  have  stood  well  in  his 
esteem;  he  had  hoped  that  he  did;  and  also  with  his 
Uncle  Horace — he  had  been  so  kindly  treated, 
especially  of  late,  at  both  Ion  and  the  Oaks;  but  now 
this  unfortunate  episode  had  placed  him  in  a  false 
position,  and  he  could  hardly  expect  to  be  again 
trusted  or  believed  in. 

Such  were  his  cogitations  as  he  sat  alone  in  the 
veranda  after  the  Ion  carriage  had  driven  away. 
"What  shall  I  do?"  he  asked  himself,  "what  shall 
I  do  to  recover  their  good  opinion?  " 

Just  then  Walter  appeared  before  him,  looking 
crestfallen  and  angry. 

"I  say,  Cal,  it's  bad  enough  for  you  to  have 
thrashed  me  as  you  did,  without  bringing  mother 
and  Aunt  Enna,  and  maybe  grandfather  too,  down 
on  me  about  those  wretched  masks  and  things;  so 

107 


108  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

give  'em  up,  and  let  Dick  and  me  put  em  back  before 
they  get  home." 

"  Of  course  put  them  back  as  fast  as  you  can; 
pity  you  hadn't  let  them  alone,"  said  Calhoun,  rising 
and  with  a  quick  step  leading  the  way  toward  the 
nursery.  "  And,"  he  added,  "  we  must  see  what  we 
can  do  to  keep  the  young  ones  from  blabbing;  else 
putting  them  back  will  help  your  case  very  little." 

"  Oh,  we'll  never  be  able  to  do  that! "  exclaimed 
Walter  despairingly;  "  one  or  another  of  'em  is  sure 
to  let  it  out  directly.  And  there  come  the  folks 
now,"  as  the  rolling  of  wheels  was  heard  in  the 
avenue.  "  It's  of  no  use;  they'll  know  all  about  it 
in  five  minutes." 

"  Yes,  sir,  you  and  Dick  have  got  yourselves  into 
a  fine  box,  beside  all  the  trouble  you've  made  for 
other  people,"  said  Calhoun  angrily.  Then  laying 
his  hand  on  Walter's  arm  as  he  perceived  that  he 
was  meditating  flight,  "  No,  sir,  stay  and  face  the 
music  like  a  man;  don't  add  cowardice  to  all  the  rest 
of  it." 

They  heard  the  clatter  of  little  feet  running 
through  the  house  and  out  upon  the  veranda,  the 
carriage  draw  up  before  the  door,  then  the  voices 
of  the  children  pouring  out  the  story  of  their  fright, 
and  the  punishment  of  its  authors,  and  the  answer- 
ing tones  of  their  grandfather  and  the  ladies;  Mr. 
Dinsmore's  expressing  surprise  and  indignation, 
Enna's  full  of  passion,  and  Mrs.  Conly's  of  cold 
displeasure. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  109 

"Let  go  o'  me!  they're  coming  this  way/'  cried 
Walter,  trying  to  wrench  himself  free. 

But  the  inexorable  Calhoun  only  tightened  his 
grasp  and  dragged  him  on  to  the  nursery. 

Dick  was  there  trying  to  pick  the  lock  of  the 
closet  door  with  his  pocket  knife. 

"What  are  you  about,  sir?     No  more  mischief- 
to-day,  if  you  please,"  exclaimed  Calhoun,  seizing 
him  with  the  free  hand,  the  other  having  enough  to 
do  to  hold  Walter. 

"Give  me  that  key  then,"  cried  Dick,  vainly 
struggling  to  shake  off  his  cousin's  strong  grip. 

The  words  were  hardly  on  the  boy's  tongue  when 
the  door  was  thrown  open  and  Mr.  Dinsmore  and 
his  daughters  entered  hastily,  followed  by  the  whole 
crowd  of  younger  children. 

"  Give  you  the  key  indeed!  I'd  like  to  know  how 
you  got  hold  of  mine,  and  how  you  dared  to  make 
use  of  it  as  you  have,  you  young  villain!  There,, 
take  that,  and  that,  and  that!  Hold  him  fast,  Cal, 
till  give  him  a  little  of  what  he  deserves,"  criedj 
Mrs.  Johnson,  rushing  upon  her  son  in  a  towering' 
passion,  and  cuffing  him  right  and  left  with  all  her 
strength. 

"Let  me  alone!"  he  roared;  "'taint  fair;  old 
Travilla's  half  killed  me  already." 

"  I'm  glad  of  it!  You  ought  to  be  half  killed,  and 
you  won't  get  any  sympathy  from  me,  I  can  tell 
you." 

"And  you  had  a  share  in  it  too,  Walter?"  Mrs. 


llt>  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Conly  was  saying  in  freezing  tones.  "  If  yon  think 
he  deserves  any  more  than  you  gave  him,  Cal,  you 
have  my  full  permission  to  repeat  the  dose." 

"  Where  is  the  cause  of  all  this  unseemly  dis- 
turbance?" demanded  Mr.  Dinsmore  severely. 
"  Calhoun,  if  you  have  the  key  of  that  closet  and 
those  wretched  disguises  are  there,  produce  them  at 
once." 

The  young  man  obeyed,  while  Enna,  holding  Dick 
fast,  turned  a  half  frightened  look  upon  her  sister; 
to  which  the  latter,  standing  with  her  arms  folded 
and  her  back  braced  against  the  wall,  replied  with 
one  of  cold,  haughty  indifference. 

Calhoun  drew  out  the  obnoxious  articles  and  held 
them  up  to  a  view,  a  flush  of  mortification  upon  his 
face. 

The  children  screamed  and  ran. 

"Be  quiet!  they  can't  hurt  you,"  said  the  grand- 
father, stamping  his  foot;  then  turning  to  Calhoun, 
*  Ku  Klux — your  property  and  Arthur's,  I  presume. 
You  are  members,  doubtless  ?  "  and  he  glanced  from 
one  to  the  other  of  his  older  grandsons  in  mingled 
'anger  and  scorn,  Arthur  having  just  entered  the 
room  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  unusual  com- 
motion. 

He  flushed  hotly  at  his  grandsire's  words  and 
look.  "  I,  sir!  la  Ku  Klux?  "  he  exclaimed  in  a 
hurt,  indignant  tone;  "la  midnight  assassin  steal- 
ing upon  my  helpless  victims  under  cover  of  dark- 
ness and  a  hideous  disguise?    No,  sir.    How  could 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  HI 

you  fhink  so  ill  of  me?  What  have  I  done  to  deserve 
it?" 

"Nothing,  my  boy;  I  take  it  all  back,"  said  the 
old  gentleman,  with  a  grim  smile;  "it  is  not  like 
you — a  quiet,  bookish  lad,  with  nothing  of  the 
coward  or  the  bully  about  you.    But  you,  Calhoun?" 

"  I  have  no  property  in  these,  sir;  and  I  should 
scorn  to  wear  one,  or  to  take  part  in  the  deeds  you 
have  spoken  of." 

"  Eight.  I  am  no  Eepublican,  and  was  as  strong 
for  secession  as  any  man  in  the  South,  but  I  am 
for  open,  fair  fight  with  my  own  enemies  or  those  of 
my  country;  no  underhand  dealings  for  me;  no 
cowardly  attacks  in  overwhelming  numbers  upon 
the  weak  and  defenceless.  But  if  these  disguises 
are  not  yours,  whose  are  they,  and  how  came  they 
here?" 

"  I  must  beg  leave  to  decline  answering  that  ques- 
tion, sir,"  replied  Calhoun  respectfully. 

His  mother  and  aunt  exchanged  glances. 

"Ah!"  exclaimed  their  father,  turning  to  Enna, 
as  with  a  sudden  recollection,  "  I  think  I  heard  you 
claiming  some  property  in  these  scarecrows.  Speak 
out!  are  they  yours?" 

"No,  sir;  but  I'm  not  ashamed  to  own  that  I 
helped  to  make  them,  and  that  if  I  were  a  man  I 
would  wear  one." 

"You!  you  helped  make  them?  And  who,  pray, 
helped  you?    Louise " 

"Yes,  sir,  Louise  it  was,"  replied  Mrs.  Conly, 


112  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

drawing  herself  up  to  her  full  height,  "  and  she  is 
no  more  ashamed  to  own  it  than  is  her  sister.  And 
if  Calhoun  was  a  dutiful  son  he  would  be  more  than 
willing  to  wear  one." 

"  If  you  were  a  dutiful  daughter  you  would  never 
have  engaged  in  such  a  business  in  my  house  with- 
out my  knowledge  and  consent,"  retorted  her 
father;  "  and  I'll  have  no  more  of  it,  let  me  tell 
you,  Madams  Conly  and  Johnson;  no  aiding  or  abet- 
ting of  these  midnight  raiders." 

Then  turning  to  a  servant  he  ordered  her  to  "  take 
the  hideous  things  into  the  yard  and  make  a  bonfire 
of  them." 

"No,  no!"  cried  Enna.  "Papa,  do  you  under- 
stand that  you  are  ordering  the  destruction  of  other 
men's  property?  " 

"It  makes  no  difference,"  he  answered  coolly; 
"they  are  forfeit  by  having  been  brought  surrep- 
titiously into  my  house.  Carry  them  out,  Fanny, 
do  you  hear?  carry  them  out  and  burn  them." 

"And  pray,  sir,  what  am  I  to  say  to  the  owners 
when  they  claim  their  property?  "  asked  Enna,  with 
flashing  eyes. 

"Eefer  them  to  me,"  replied  her  father,  leaving 
the  room  to  see  that  his  orders  were  duly  executed. 

Calhoun  and  Arthur  had  already  slipped  away. 
Dick  was  about  to  follow,  but  his  mother  again 
seized  him  by  the  arm,  this  time  shaking  him  vio- 
lently; she  must  have  some  one  on  whom  to  vent 
the  rage  that  was  consuming  her. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  113 

"You — you  bad,  troublesome,  wicked  boy!  I 
could  shake  the  very  life  out  of  you! "  she  hissed 
through  her  shut  teeth,  suiting  the  action  to  the 
word.  "  A  pretty  mess  you  have  made  of  it,  you  and 
Walter.  Your  birthday  coming  next  week  too; 
there'll  be  no  presents  from  Ion  for  you,  you  may 
rest  assured.  I  hoped  Mr.  Travilla  would  send  you 
each  a  handsome  suit,  as  he  did  last  year;  but  of 
course  you'll  get  nothing  now." 

"Well,  I  don't  care,"  muttered  Dick,  "it's  your 
fault  for  making  the  ugly  things."  And  freeing 
himself  by  a  sudden  jerk,  he  darted  from  the  room. 

Children  and  servants  had  trooped  after  Mr. 
Dinsmore  to  witness  the  conflagration,  and  Dick's 
sudden  exit  left  the  ladies  sole  occupants  of  the 
apartment. 

"  I  declare  it's  too  bad!  too  provoking  for  endur- 
ance! "  exclaimed  Enna,  bursting  into  a  flood  of 
angry  tears. 

"What's  the  use  of  taking  it  so  hard?"  returned 
her  sister. 

"You're  a  perfect  iceberg,"  retorted  Enna. 

"  That  accounts  for  my  not  crying  over  our  mis- 
fortune, I  presume;  my  tears  being  all  frozen  up," 
returned  Mrs.  Conly,  with  an  exasperating  smile. 
"Well,  there  is  comfort  in  all  things:  we  may  now 
congratulate  ourselves  that  Foster  and  Boyd  did  not 
wait  for  these,  but  supplied  themselves  elsewhere." 

There  was  a  difference  of  two  years  in  the  ages 
of  Dick  Percival  and  Walter  Conly,  but  they  were 


114  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

born  on  the  same  day  of  the  same  month,  and  their 
birthday  would  occur  in  less  than  a  week. 

"  I  say,  Wal,  what  precious  fools  we've  been/'  re- 
marked Dick  as  the  two  were  preparing  to  retire 
that  night;  "  why  didn't  we  remember  how  near  it 
was  to  our  birthday?  Of  course,  as  mother  says, 
there'll  be  no  presents  from  Ion  this  time." 

"No,  and  I  wish  I'd  never  seen  the  hateful 
things,"  grumbled  Walter;  "  but  there's  no  use  cry- 
ing over  spilt  milk." 

"No;  and  we'll  pretend  we  don't  care  a  cent. 
Mother  shan't  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that 
I  do,  anyhow."  And  Dick  whistled  a  lively  tune  as 
he  pulled  off  his  boots  and  tossed  them  into  a  corner. 

At  about  the  same  time  Elsie  and  her  husband, 
seated  alone  together  in  their  veranda,  were  con- 
versing on  the  same  subject.  Mr.  Travilla  intro- 
duced it.  They  had  been  regretting  the  effect  of 
the  fright  of  the  evening  upon  their  children — Yi 
especially,  as  the  one  predisposed  to  undue  excite- 
ment of  the  brain — yet  hoping  it  might  not  prove 
lasting. 

Elsie  had  just  returned  from  seeing  them  to  bed. 
"I  left  them  much  calmed  and  comforted,"  she 
said,  "  by  our  little  talk  together  of  God's  constant 
watch  over  us,  his  all-power,  and  his  protecting 
care  and  love;  and  by  our  prayer  that  he  would  have 
them  in  his  keeping." 

He  pressed  her  hand  in  silence;  then  presently 
remarked,  "  The  birthday  of  those  boys  is  near  at 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  115 

hand.  They  certainly  deserve  no  remembrance  from 
ns;  but  how  do  you  feel  about  it?  " 

"  Just  as  my  noble,  generous  husband  does,"  she 
said,  looking  up  into  his  face  with  a  proud,  fond 
smile. 

"Ah!  and  how  is  that?" 

"  Like  giving  them  a  costlier  and  more  acceptable 
present  than  ever  before;  thus  ( heaping  coals  of  fire 
upon  their  heads.' " 

"And  what  shall  it  be?" 

"Whatever  you  think  they  would  prefer — and 
would  not  that  be  a  pony  apiece?" 

"  No  doubt  of  it;  and  I  will  try  to  procure  two 
worth  having,  before  ..the  day  comes  round." 

Talking  with  her  little  ones  the  next  morning, 
Elsie  told  them  of  the  near  approach  of  the  birthday 
of  Dick  and  Walter,  spoke  of  the  duty  of  forgiveness 
and  the  return  of  good  for  evil,  and  asked  who  of 
them  would  like  to  make  their  cousins  some  nice 
present, 

"  I  should,  mamma,"  said  little  Elsie. 

Eddie  looked  up  into  his  mother's  face,  dropped 
his  head,  and  blushing  deeply  muttered,  "  Fd  rather 
flog  them  like  papa  and  Cal  did." 

"  So  would  I;  they're  naughty  boys! "  cried  Vi, 
the  tears  starting  to  her  eyes  at  the  remembrance 
of  the  panic  of  fear  their  conduct  had  cost  herself, 
brothers,  and  sisters. 

Their  mother  explained  that  it  was  papa's  duty 
to  protect  his  children  from  injury,  and  that  that 


116  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

was  why  he  had  flogged  naughty  Dick;  but  now  he 
had  forgiven  him,  and  was  going  to  return  good  for 
evil,  as  the  Bible  bids  us.  "  And  you  must  forgive 
them  too,  dears,  if  you  want  God  to  forgive  you," 
she  concluded;  "  for  Jesus  says,  '  If  you  forgive  not 
men  their  trespasses,  neither  will  your  Father  for- 
give your  trespasses.'" 

"  I  can't,  mamma;  I  don't  love  them,"  said  Eddie 
stoutly. 

"  Ask  God  to  help  you,  then,  my  son." 

"But,  mamma,  I  can't  ask  him  with  my  heart, 
'cause  I  don't  really  want  to  love  them  or  forgive 
them." 

"Can  my  boy  do  without  God's  forgiveness? 
without  Jesus'  love?"  she  asked,  drawing  him  to 
her  side.  "You  feel  very  unhappy  when  papa  or 
mamma  is  offended  with  you,  and  can  you  bear  your 
heavenly  Father's  frown?  " 

"Don't  look  so  sorry,  dear  mamma:  I  love  you 
ever  so  much,"  he  said,  putting  his  arms  about  her 
neck  and  kissing  her  again  and  again. 

"  I  cannot  be  happy  while  my  dear  little  son  in- 
dulges such  sinful  feelings,"  she  said,  softly  smooth- 
ing his  hair,  while  a  tear  rolled  down  her  cheek. 

"  Mamma,  how  can  I  help  it?  " 

"  Try  to  think  kind  thoughts  of  your  cousins,  do 
them  all  the  kindness  you  can,  and  ask  God  to  bless 
them,  and  to  help  you  to  love  them.  I  want  my 
little  Vi  to  do  so  too,"  she  added,  turning  to  her. 

"  Mamma,  I  will;  I  don't  'tend  to  say  cross  things 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  117 

'bout  'em  any  more/'  Violet  answered  impulsively; 
"  and  Fll  giYe  'em  the  nicest  present  I  can  get  with 
all  my  pocket-money/' 

"Mamma,  must  I  give  them  presents?"  asked 
Eddie. 

"No,  son,  I  do  not  say  must;  you  shall  decide 
for  yourself  whether  you  ought,  and  whether  you 
will." 

"Mamma,  they  made  me  hurt  my  dear  father." 

"No,  Eddie,  no  one  can  males  us  do  wrong;  we 
choose  for  ourselves  whether  we  will  resist  tempta- 
tion or  yield  to  it." 

"Mamma,  what  shall  we  give?"  asked  the  little 
girls. 

"  Talk  it  over  between  yourselves,  daughters,  de- 
cide how  much  you  are  •willing  to  spend  on  them, 
and  what  your  cousins  would  probably  like  best. 
I  want  my  children  to  think  and  choose  for  them- 
selves, where  it  is  proper  that  they  should." 

"But,  mamma,  you  will  'vise  us." 

"Yes,  Vi,  you  may  consult  me,  and  shall  have 
the  benefit  of  my  opinion." 

The  little  girls  held  several  private  consultations 
during  the  day,  and  in  the  evening  came  with  a 
report  to  their  mother.  Elsie  was  willing  to  appro- 
priate five  dollars  to  the  purpose,  Vi  three,  and  the 
gifts  were  to  be  books,  if  mamma  approved,  and 
would  help  them  select  suitable  ones. 

"  I  think  you  have  decided  wisely,"  she  said;  "and 
as  it  is  too  warm  for  us  to  drive  to  the  city,  we  will 


118  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

ask  papa  to  order  a  variety  sent  out  here,  and  he 
and  I  will  help  you  in  making  a  choice." 

Eddie  was  standing  by.  Nothing  had  been  said 
to  him  on  the  subject  since  his  morning  talk  with 
his  mother,  but  all  day  he  had  been  unusually 
quiet  and  thoughtful. 

"  Mamma,"  he  said  now,  coming  close  to  her  side, 
"I've  been  trying  to  forgive  them,  and  Fm  going 
to  buy  two  riding  whips,  one  for  Dick  and  one  for 
Wal — if  you  and  papa  like  me  to." 

Her  smile  was  very  sweet  and  tender  as  she  com- 
mended his  choice,  and  told  him  his  resolve  had 
made  her  very  happy. 

The  birthday  found  Dick  and  Walter  in  sullen, 
discontented  mood,  spite  of  their  resolve  not  to  care 
for  the  loss  of  all  prospect  of  gifts  in  honor  of  the 
anniversary. 

"What's  the  use  of  getting  up?"  growled  Dick; 
"it's  an  awful  bore,  the  way  we've  been  sent  to 
Coventry  ever  since  we  got  into  that  scrape  with  the 
young  ones.  I've  a  great  mind  to  lie  abed  and  pre- 
tend sick;  just  to  scare  mother  and  pay  her  off  for 
her  crossness." 

"  Maybe  you  might  get  sick  in  earnest,"  suggested 
Walter.  "I'm  going  to  get  up,  anyhow,"  and  he 
tumbled  out  upon  the  floor,  "for  it's  too  hot  to 
lie  in  bed.  Hark!  there's  Pomp  coming  up  the  stairs 
to  call  us  now.  Why,  what's  all  that,  Pomp?"  as 
the  servant  rapped,  then  pushing  open  the  door, 
handed  in  a  number  of  brown  parcels. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  119 

"Dunno,  Mars  Wal,"  replied  the  man,  grinning 
from  ear  to  ear;  "  somethin'  from  Ion,  an  de  rest's 
downstairs;  one  for  each  ob  you." 

"  One  what?  "  queried  Dick,  starting  up  and  with 
one  bound  placing  himself  at  Walter's  side. 

"  Birthday  presents,  sahs.  Wish  you  many  happy 
returns,  Mars  Wal  and  Mars  Dick,  an'  hope  you'll 
neber  wear  no  mo'  Ku  Klux  doins." 

But  the  lads  were  too  busily  engaged  in  opening 
the  parcels  and  examining  their  contents  to  hear 
or  heed  his  words. 

"  Two  riding  whips, — splendid  ones, — and  four 
books!"  exclaimed  Walter;  "and  here's  a  note." 

"Here  let  me  read  it,"  said  Dick.  "I  declare, 
Wal,  I'm  positively  ashamed  to  have  them  send  me 
anything  after  the  way  I've  behaved." 

"  I  too.    But  what  do  they  say?  " 

"  It's  from  Travilla  and  Cousin  Elsie,"  said  Dick, 
turning  to  the  signature.     "  I'll  read  it  out." 

He  did  so.  It  was  very  kind  and  pleasant,  made 
no  allusion  to  their  wrongdoing,  but  congratulated 
them  on  the  return  of  the  day,  begged  their  accept- 
ance of  the  accompanying  gifts,  stating  from  whom 
each  came,  the  largest  a  joint  present  from  them- 
selves; and  closed  with  an  invitation  to  spend  the 
day  at  Ion. 

"  I'm  more  ashamed  than  ever,  aren't  you,  Wal?  " 
Dick  said,  his  face  flushing  hotly  as  he  laid  the  note 
down. 
"  Yes,  never  felt  so  mean  in  my  life.    To  think 


120  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

of  that  little  Ed  sending  ns  these  splendid  whips, 
and  the  little  girls  these  pretty  books.  I  'most  wish 
they  hadn't." 

"  But  where's  '  the  larger  gift '  they  say  is  '  a  joint 
present  from  themselves'?" 

"  Oh,  that  must  be  what  Pomp  called  the  rest  left 
downstairs.  Come,  let's  hurry  and  get  down  there 
to  see  what  it  is." 

Toilet  duties  were  attended  to  in  hot  haste,  and 
in  a  wonderfully  short  time  the  two  were  on  the 
front  veranda  in  eager  quest  of  the  mysterious 
present. 

Each  boyish  heart  gave  a  wild  bound  of  delight  as 
their  eyes  fell  upon  a  group  in  the  avenue,  just 
before  the  entrance;  two  beautiful  ponies,  ready 
saddled  and  bridled,  in  charge  of  an  Ion  servant; 
old  Mr.  Dinsmore,  Calhoun,  and  Arthur  standing 
near  examining  and  commenting  upon  them  with 
evident  admiration. 

"  Oh,  what  beauties! "  cried  Dick,  bounding  in 
among  the  group.    " Whose  are  they,  Uncle  Joe?" 

"  Well,  sah,"  answered  the  old  negro,  pulling  off 
his  hat  and  bowing  first  to  one,  then  to  the  other, 
"dey's  sent  heyah,  by  Massa  Travilla  and  Miss 
Elsie,  for  two  boys  'bout  de  size  o'  you,  dat  don' 
neber  mean  to  frighten  young  chillen  no  mo'." 

The  lads  hung  their  heads  in  silence,  the  blush  of 
shame  on  their  cheeks. 

"Do  you  answer  the  description?"  asked  Ca2* 
houn,  a  touch  of  scorn  in  his  tones. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  121 

"Yes;  for  we'll  never  do  it  again,"  said  Walter. 
"But  it's  too  much:  they're  too  kind!"  and  he 
fairly  broke  down,  and  turned  away  his  head  to 
hide  the  tears  that  would  come  into  his  eyes. 

"  That's  a  fact! "  assented  Dick,  nearly  as  much 
moved. 

"You  don't  deserve  it,"  said  their  grandfather 
severely,  "and  I'm  much  inclined  to  send  them  back, 
with  a  request  that  if  they're  offered  you  again  it 
shall  not  be  till  a  year  of  good  conduct  on  your  part 
has  atoned  for  the  past." 

"  Oh,  grandpa,  you  couldn't  be  so  hard,  so  very 
hard!  "  cried  Dick  imploringly,  stroking  and  patting 
the  pony  nearest  to  him,  "  they're  such  beauties." 

"  I  should  think  you'd  be  ashamed  to  accept  such 
gifts  after  the  way  you've  behaved,"  said  Arthur. 

"  So  we  are;  but  wouldn't  it  be  worse  to  send  'em 
back?  Awful  rude,  I  should  say."  And  Dick  turned 
a  half  saucy,  half  beseeching  look  upon  his  grand- 
father. 

The  old  gentleman  smiled  in  spite  of  himself,  and 
consented,  in  consideration  of  the  boys'  penitence 
for  the  past  and  fair  promises  for  the  future,  to 
allow  them  to  accept  the  generous  gifts. 

Uncle  Joe  explained  which  was  for  Dick,  and 
which  for  Walter,  and  springing  into  their  saddles, 
they  were  off  like  a  shot,  their  grandfather  calling 
after  them  to  be  back  in  ten  minutes,  if  they  wanted 
any  breakfast. 


CHAPTER   XL 

If  thine  enemy  hunger,  feed  him  ;  if  he  thirst,  give  him 
drink;  for  in  so  doing  thou  shalt  heap  coals  of  fire  on  his 
head.  Be  not  overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with  good." 
— Romans  xii.  20,  21. 

"  Splendid!  "  cried  Dick,  wheeling  about  toward 
home,  now  half  a  mile  away;  "but  we  must  hurry 
back  or  grandpa  will  be  mad.  I  say,  Wal,  what  do 
you  s'pose  makes  Travilla  and  Cousin  Elsie  so  dif- 
ferent from  us?    I  mean  all  of  us  at  Boselands." 

"I  don't  know/'  returned  Walter  reflectively; 
"maybe  because  they're  Christians.  You  know  it 
says  in  the  Bible  we're  to  return  good  for  evil." 

"Yes,  and  so  heap  coals  of  fire  on  our  enemies' 
heads.  And,  Wal,  I  feel  'em  burn  now.  I'd  give 
anything  not  to  have  coaxed  and  teased  Ed  into 
shooting  that  time,  and  not  to  have  scared  him 
and  the  others  with  those  frightful  disguises." 

"  So  would  I;  and  we'll  never  do  the  like  again, 
Dick,  never;  will  we?" 

"  I  reckon  not;  and  we  must  ride  over  to  Ion  after 
breakfast  and  tell  'em  so,  and  thank  'em  for  these 
beauties  and  the  oth^r  things." 

"  Yes;  didn't  the  note  invite  us  to  spend  the  day 
there?" 

m 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  123 

*  Why,  so  it  did!  But  I'd  forgot;  the  sight  of  the 
ponies  knocked  it  all  out  of  my  head." 

So  great  was  the  delight  of  the  lads  in  their  new 
acquisitions,  that  not  even  the  repeated  assertions 
of  their  mothers  and  other  members  of  the  family, 
— seconded  by  the  reproaches  of  their  own  con- 
sciences,— that  they  did  not  deserve  it,  could 
materially  damp  their  joy. 

An  ungracious  permission  to  accept  the  invitation 
to  Ion  was  granted  to  them,  with  the  remark  that 
Calhoun  and  Arthur,  who  were  included  in  it,  would 
be  there  to  keep  them  in  order,  and  also  to  report 
upon  their  conduct. 

Calhoun,  troubled  and  mortified  by  the  suspicions 
which  he  imagined  must  have  been  entertained 
against  him  at  both  the  Oaks  and  Ion  since  the 
escapade  of  Dick  and  Walter,  had  kept  himself 
closely  at  home  during  the  past  week,  and  studiously 
avoided  meeting  either  his  uncle  or  Travilla;  but 
this  invitation,  as  the  holding  out  of  the  olive 
branch  of  peace,  was  joyfully  accepted. 

The  four  rode  over  to  Ion  together  directly  after 
breakfast,  and  found  themselves  greeted  with  the 
greatest  kindness  and  cordiality  by  Mr.  Travilla, 
Elsie,  and  the  children,  all  gathered  in  the  veranda 
awaiting  their  coming. 

The  two  culprits,  shame-faced  in  view  of  their 
ill-deserts,  yet  overflowing  with  delight  in  their 
ponies,  poured  out  mingled  thanks  and  apologies 
and  promises  for  the  future. 


J24  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  Never  mind,  my  lads,  we'll  say  nothing  more 
about  it,"  Mr.  Travilla  said  in  his  kind,  cheery  way, 
Elsie  adding,  "  You  are  very  welcome,  and  we  are 
sure  yon  do  not  intend  ever  again  to  try  to  alarm 
our  darlings,  or  tempt  them  to  do  wrong." 

She  led  the  way  to  her  beautiful  summer  parlor, 
a  large,  lofty  apartment  with  frescoed  walls  and 
ceiling;  the  floor  a  mosaic  of  various  colored  mar- 
bles; a  bubbling  fountain  in  the  centre,  gold  and 
silver  fish  swimming  in  its  basin,  windows  draped 
with  vines,  and  at  the  farther  end  a  lovely  grotto, 
where  a  second  fountain  threw  showers  of  spray 
over  moss-grown  rocks  and  pieces  of  exquisite 
statuary. 

Here  they  were  presently  joined  by  their  Cousin 
Horace.  Ices  and  fruits  were  served,  and  the  morn- 
ing passed  in  a  most  agreeable  manner,  enlivened  by 
music,  conversation,  and  a  variety  of  quiet  games; 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Travilla  laying  themselves  out  for 
the  entertainment  of  their  guests. 

Their  children  had  been  excused  from  lessons  in 
honor  of  the  day,  and  with  their  sweet  prattle  and 
merry  pretty  ways  contributed  not  a  little  to  the 
enjoyment  of  their  elders. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  came  to  dinner.  Calhoun  fancied 
his  manner  rather  cool  toward  him,  while  Dick  and 
Walter  were  left  in  no  doubt  of  his  stern  disapproval 
of  them,  until  their  Cousin  Elsie  said  a  few  words 
to  him  in  a  quiet  aside,  after  which  there  was  a 
decided  change  for  the  better. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  125 

Calhoun  watched  his  cousin  furtively,  as  he  had 
of  late  formed  a  habit  of  doing;  and  as  he  studied 
her  character  his  respect,  admiration,  and  affection 
grew  apace;  he  found  her  so  utterly  unselfish  and 
sincere,  so  patient  and  forbearing,  yet  firm  for  the 
right,  so  unaffectedly  gay  and  happy. 

Something  of  this  he  remarked  to  her  when  for  a 
few  moments  they  chanced  to  be  alone  together. 

"  Ah,"  she  said,  smiling  and  blushing,  "  it  is  not 
lover  love  alone  that  is  blind;  you  have  been  look- 
ing at  me  through  rose-colored  spectacles,  as  so 
many  of  my  relatives  and  friends  do." 

"But  are  you  not  really  happy,  cousin?" 

"Happy?  Ah,  yes,  indeed!  Have  I  not  every- 
thing to  make  me  so?  the  best  of  husbands  and 
fathers,  five  darling  children;  comparative  youth; 
health;  wealth  that  enables  me  to  prove  in  my  own 
sweet  experience  the  truth  of  those  words  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  'It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to 
receive';  and  the  best  of  all,"  she  added  low  and 
reverently,  the  soft  eyes  shining  through  glad  tears, 
"his  love  and  tender  care  surrounding  me.  Hist 
strong  arm  to  lean  upon;  his  blood  to  wash  away 
my  sins.  His  perfect  righteousness  put  upon  me. 
These,  cousin,  are  more  than  all  the  rest,  and  you 
and  every  one  may  have  them  if  you  will;  for  his 
own  words  are,  '  Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive;  seek  and 
ye  shall  find.'  '  Him  that  cometh  unto  me,  I  will 
in  no  wise  cast  out.'" 

"You  give  me  a  new  view  of  religion,"  he  said 


126  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

after  a  moment's  surprised,  thoughtful  silence;  "I 
have  been  accustomed  to  look  upon  it  as  some- 
thing suitable,  perhaps  desirable,  for  old  age,  and 
certainly  very  necessary  for  a  death-bed;  but  too 
great  a  restraint  upon  youthful  pleasures." 

"Sinful  pleasures  must  indeed  be  given  up  by 
those  who  would  follow  Christ;  but  they  are  like 
apples  of  Sodom — beautiful  in  appearance,  but 
bitter  and  nauseous  to  the  taste;  while  the  joys  that 
he  gives  are  pure,  sweet,  abundant,  and  satisfying. 
'Godliness  is  profitable  unto  all  things,  having 
promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and  of  that  which 
is  to  come.'  'They  shall  be  abundantly  satisfied 
with  the  fatness  of  thy  house;  and  thou  shalt  make 
them  drink  of  the  river  of  thy  pleasures.'  Ah,  Cal, 
if  one  might  safely  die  without  the  Christian's 
faith  and  hope,  I  should  still  want  them  to  sweeten 
life's  journey." 

Another  thoughtful  pause;  then  the  young  man 
said  frankly,  "  Cousin  Elsie,  I'm  afraid  I'm  very 
stupid,  but  it's  a  fact  that  I  never  have  been  quite 
able  to  understand  exactly  what  it  is  to  be  a  Chris- 
tian, or  how  to  become  one." 

She  considered  a  moment,  her  heart  going  up  in 
silent  prayer  for  help  to  make  the  matter  plain  to 
him,  and  for  a  blessing  on  her  words;  for  well  she 
knew  that  without  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
they  would  avail  nothing. 

"  To  be  a  Christian,"  she  said,  "  is  to  believe  in 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  receiving  and  resting  upon 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  127 

him  alone  for  salvation.  'He  hath  made  him  to 
be  sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin;  that  we  might  be 
made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him.'  '  God  so 
loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten 
Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life/  Do  not  these 
texts  answer  both  your  queries?  We  have  broken 
God's  holy  law,  but  Jesus,  the  God  man,  has  borne 
the  penalty  in  our  stead;  'all  our  righteousnesses  are 
as  filthy  rags ';  we  dare  not  appear  before  the  King 
clothed  in  them;  but  Jesus  offers  to  each  of  us  the 
pure  and  spotless  robe  of  his  righteousness,  and  we 
have  only  to  accept  it  as  a  free  gift;  we  can  have  it 
on  no  other  terms.  It  is  believe  and  be  saved;  look 
and  live." 

"  But  there  is  something  besides  for  us  to  do, 
surely?  we  must  live  right." 

"Yes,  true  faith  will  bring  forth  the  fruits  of 
holy  living;  but  good  works  are  the  proofs  and 
effects  of  our  faith,  not  the  ground  of  the  true 
Christian's  hope — having  nothing  whatever  to  do 
with  our  justification." 

The  entrance  of  Arthur  and  young  Horace  put 
an  end  to  the  conversation. 

Horace  was  not  less  devoted  to  his  elder  sister 
now  than  in  childhood's  days;  Arthur,  distant  and 
reserved  with  most  people,  had  of  late  learned  to  be 
very  frank  and  open  with  her,  sure  of  an  attentive 
hearing,  of  sympathy,  and  that  his  confidence  would 
never  be  betrayed. 


128  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

She  never  sneered,  never  laughed  in  contempt, 
nor  ever  seemed  to  think  herself  better  or  wiser 
than  others.  Her  advice,  when  asked,  was  given 
with  sweet  simplicity  and  humility,  as  of  one  not 
qualified,  in  her  own  estimation,  to  teach,  or  desir- 
ous to  usurp  authority  over  others:  yet  she  had  a 
clear  intellect  and  sound  judgment;  she  opened  her 
mouth  with  wisdom  and  in  her  tongue  was  the  law 
of  kindness.  There  seemed  a  sort  of  magnetism 
about  her,  the  attraction  of  a  loving,  sympathetic 
nature,  that  always  drew  to  her  the  young  of  both 
sexes,  and  the  large  majority  of  older  people  also. 

The  three  young  men  gathered  round  her,  hang- 
ing upon  her  sweet  looks,  her  words,  her  smiles,  as 
ardent  lovers  do  upon  those  of  their  mistress. 

Somehow  the  conversation  presently  turned  upon 
love  and  marriage,  and  she  lectured  them,  half- 
playfully,  half  seriously,  upon  the  duties  of  hus- 
bands. 

She  bade  them  to  be  careful  in  their  choice,  re- 
membering that  it  was  for  life,  and  looking  for 
worth  rather  than  beauty  or  wealth;  then  after 
marriage  not  to  be  afraid  of  spoiling  the  wife  with 
too  much  care  and  thoughtfulness  for  her  comfort 
and  happiness,  or  the  keeping  up  of  the  little 
attentions  so  pleasant  to  give  and  receive,  and  so 
lavishly  bestowed,  in  the  days  of  courtship. 

"Ah,  Elsie,  you  are  thinking  of  your  own  hus- 
band, and  holding  him  up  as  a  model  to  us,"  said 
Horace  laughingly. 


ELSIE' 8  MOTHERHOOD.  129 

"Yes/5  she  answered,  with  a  blush  and  smile, 
a  tender  light  shining  in  the  soft  brown  eyes,  "  that 
is  true.  Ah,  the  world  would  be  full  of  happy  wives 
if  all  the  husbands  would  copy  his  example!  He  is 
as  much  a  lover  now  as  the  day  he  asked  me  to  be 
his  wife;  more,  indeed,  for  we  grow  dearer  and 
dearer  to  each  other  as  the  years  roll  on.  Never  a 
day  passes  that  he  does  not  tell  me  of  his  love  by 
word  and  deed,  and  the  story  is  as  sweet  to  me  now 
as  when  first  I  heard  it." 

"  Ah,  good  wives  make  good  husbands,"  said  Mr. 
Travilla,  who  had  entered  unobserved,  just  in  time 
to  hear  the  eulogy  upon  him.  "  Boys,  let  each  of 
you  get  a  wife  like  mine,  and  you  cannot  fail  to 
be  good  husbands." 

"  Good  husbands  make  good  wives,"  she  retorted, 
looking  up  into  his  face  with  a  fond  smile  as  he 
came  to  her  side. 

"  The  trouble  is  to  find  such,"  remarked  Horace, 
regarding  his  sister  with  tender  admiration. 

"  True  enough,"  said  Travilla,  "  I  know  not  of  her 
like  in  all  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land." 

Catching  sight  of  Mr.  Dinsmore  pacing  the  ver- 
anda alone,  Calhoun  slipped  quietly  away  from  the 
rest  and  joined  him. 

"  Uncle,"  he  said,  coloring  and  dropping  his  eyes, 
"  I  think  you  doubt  me." 

"Have  I  not  reason,  Calhoun?"  Mr.  Dinsmore 
asked,  looking  searchingly  into  the  lad's  face. 

"Yes,  sir,  I  own  that  appearances  are  strongly 


130  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

against  me,  and  I  cannot  disprove  the  tale  they 
tell;  but — oh,  if  you  could  trust  me  still,  uncle !" 

He  lifted  his  head,  and  gazed  fearlessly  into  the 
keen  dark  eyes  still  bent  searchingly  upon  him. 

Mr.  Dinsmore  held  out  his  hand,  and  cordially 
grasped  the  one  Calhoun  placed  in  it. 

"Well,  my  boy,  I  will  try:  it  is  far  pleasanter 
than  to  doubt  you.  But  there  is  some  one  at  Rose- 
lands  who  is  disposed  to  aid  and  abet  the  Ku  Klux 
in  their  lawless  proceedings." 

"  I  cannot  deny  that,"  said  the  nephew,  "  yet  it 
would  ill  become  me  to  say  who  it  is;  and  I  think, 
sir,  since  grandpa  has  set  down  his  foot  so  decidedly 
in  opposition,  there  will  be  no  more  of  it.  Travilla 
and  Cousin  Elsie  have  given  me  their  confidence 
again,  and  I  assure  you,  sir,  I  am  deeply  grateful 
to  you  all.'* 


CHAPTER  XH. 

If  thou  neglect'st  or  dost  unwillingly 
What  I  command,  I'll  rack  thee  with  old  cramps 
Fill  all  thy  bones  with  aches;  make  thee  roar, 
That  beasts  shall  tremble  at  thy  din. 

— Shakspere's  Tempest 

The  Ion  family  were  spending  the  day  at  the* 
Oaks.  It  was  now  early  in  the  fall  of  1868,  and 
political  excitement  ran  high  over  the  coming  presi- 
dential election.  There  had  been  as  yet  no  effectual 
check  given  to  the  lawless  proceedings  of  the  Ku 
Klux,  and  their  frequent  raids  and  numerous  deeds 
of  violence  had  inaugurated  a  reign  of  terror  that 
was  a  shame  and  reproach  to  our  boasted  civiliza- 
tion and  free  institutions. 

Many  of  the  poorer  classes,  both  blacks  and 
whites,  dared  not  pass  the  night  in  their  houses, 
but  when  darkness  fell,  fled  for  safety  to  the  shelter 
of  the  nearest  woods,  carrying  their  beds  with  them, 
and  sleeping  in  the  open  air. 

That  the  Ku  Klux  Klan  was  a  political  organiza- 
tion working  in  the  interests  of  the  Democratic 
party  their  words  to  their  victims  left  no  doubt. 
The  latter  were  told  that  they  were  punished  for 
belonging  to  the  Union  League,  or  for  favoring  the 
Republican  party,  or  using  their  influence  in  its 

131 


132  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

behalf,  and  threatened  with  severer  treatment  if 
they  dared  vote  its  ticket  or  urge  others  to  do  so. 

The  outrages  were  highly  disapproved  by  all  Ee- 
publicans  and  by  most  of  the  better  class  in  the 
opposite  party;  but  many  were  afraid  to  express 
their  opinions  of  the  doings  of  the  Klan,  lest  they 
should  be  visited  with  its  terrors;  while  for  the 
same  reason  many  of  its  victims  preferred  to  suffer 
in  silence  rather  than  institute  proceedings  or  tes- 
tify against  their  foes. 

It  was  a  state  of  things  greatly  deplored  by  our 
friends  of  the  Oaks  and  Ion,  and  Messrs.  Dinsmore 
and  Travilla,  who  were  not  of  the  timid  sort,  had 
been  making  efforts  to  bring  some  of  the  guilty 
ones  to  justice,  though  thus  far  with  very  little 
success. 

Such  an  errand  had  taken  them  to  the  town  on 
this  particular  day. 

They  were  returning  late  in  the  afternoon  and 
were  still  several  miles  from  home,  when,  passing 
through  a  bit  of  woods,  a  sudden  turn  of  the  road 
brought  them  face  to  face  with  a  band  of  mounted 
men,  some  thirty  or  forty  in  number,  not  disguised, 
but  rough  and  ruffianly  in  appearance,  and  armed 
with  clubs,  pistols,  and  bowie  knives. 

The  encounter  was  evidently  a  surprise  to  both 
parties,  and  reining  in  their  steeds  they  regarded 
each  other  for  a  moment  in  grim  silence. 

Then  the  leader  of  the  band,,  a  profane,  drunken 
wretch  who  had  been  a  surgeon  in  the  Confederate 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  133 

army,  scowling  fiercely  upon  our  friends  and  laying 
his  hand  on  a  pistol  in  his  belt,  growled  out,  "  A 
couple  of  scalawags!  Mean  dirty  rascals,  what  mis- 
chief have  you  been  at  now,  eh?" 

Disdaining  a  reply  to  his  insolence,  the  gentle- 
men drew  their  revolvers,  cocked  them  ready  for 
instant  use,  and  whirling  their  horses  halfway 
round  and  backing  them  out  of  the  road  so  that 
they  faced  it,  while  leaving  room  for  the  others  to 
pass,  politely  requested  them  to  do  so. 

"Not  so  fast!"  returned  the  leader,  pouring  out 
a  torrent  of  oaths  and  curses;  "we've  a  little 
account  to  settle  with  you  two,  and  no  time's  like 
the  present." 

"  Yes,  shoot  Jem  down! "  cried  a  voice  from  the 
crowd. 

66  Hang  'em!  "  yelled  another,  "  the rascals!" 

"Yes,"  roared  a  third,  "pull  'em  from  their 
horses  and  string  'em  up  to  the  limb  o'  that  big  oak 
yonder." 

Our  friends  faced  them  with  dauntless  air. 

"You  will  do  neither,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore,  in  a 
firm,  quiet  tone;  "we  are  well  armed,  and  shall 
defend  ourselves  to  the  last  extremity." 

Travilla  threw  his  riding  whip  into  the  road  a 
foot  or  two  in  front  of  his  horse's  head,  saying,  as 
he  looked  steadily  into  the  leader's  eyes:  "The 
first  one  who  passes  that  to  come  nearer  to  us  is 
that  instant  a  dead  man." 

The  two  were  well  known  in  the  community  as 


134  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

men  of  undoubted  courage  and  determination;  also 
as  excellent  marksmen. 

A  whisper  ran  along  the  lines  of  their  opponents. 
"  He's  a  dead  shot;  and  so's  Dinsmore;  and  they're 
not  afraid  o'  the  devil  himself.  Better  let  'em  go 
for  this  time." 

The  leader  gave  the  word,  "  Forward!  "  and  with 
hisses,  groans,  and  a  variety  of  hideous  noises  they 
swept  along  the  road  and  passed  out  of  sight,  leav- 
ing our  friends  masters  of  the  field. 

"Cruelty  and  cowardice  go  hand  in  hand,"  ob- 
served Mr.  Travilla,  as  they  resumed  their  home- 
ward way. 

"  Yes,  those  brave  fellows  prefer  waging  war  upon 
sleeping  unarmed  men  and  helpless  women  and 
children,  to  risking  life  and  limb  in  fair  and  open 
fight  with  such  as  you  and  I,"  returned  his  com- 
panion. 

"  They  are  Ku  Klux,  you  think?  " 

"  I  am  morally  certain  of  it,  though  I  could  not 
bring  proof  to  convict  even  that  rascally  Dr. 
Savage." 

They  agreed  not  to  mention  the  occurrence  in 
presence  of  their  wives:  also  that  it  would  be  best 
for  Travilla  to  take  his  family  home  early,  Mr. 
Dinsmore  and  Horace,  Jr.,  accompanying  them  as 
an  escort. 

This  they  could  readily  do  without  arousing  the 
fears  of  the  ladies,  as  both  were  constantly  coming 
and  going  between  the  two  places. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  133 

The  sun  was  nearing  the  horizon  when  they 
reached  the  Oaks. 

Eose  and  Elsie  were  in  the  veranda  awaiting  their 
coming  in  some  anxiety. 

"  Oh,"  they  cried,  "  we  are  so  rejoiced  to  see  you! 
so  thankful  that  you  are  safe.  We  feared  you  had 
met  some  of  those  dreadful  Ku  Klux." 

"  Yes,  little  wife,  we  are  safe,  thanks  to  the  pro- 
tecting care  which  is  over  us  all  in  every  place," 
Mr.  Travilla  said,  embracing  her  as  though  they  had 
been  long  parted. 

"  Ah,  yes,"  she  sighed,  "  how  I  have  been  for- 
getting to-day  the  lessons  of  faith  and  trust  I  have 
tried  to  impress  upon  Mrs.  Leland.  It  is  far  easier 
to  preach  than  to  practice." 

Little  feet  came  running  in  from  the  grounds, 
little  voices  shouted,  "Papa  has  come!  and  grandpa 
too,"  and  a  merry  scene  ensued, — hugging,  kissing, 
romping, — presently  interrupted  by  the  call  to  tea. 

There  was  nothing  unusual  in  the  manner  of 
either  gentleman,  and  the  wives  had  no  suspicion 
that  they  had  been  in  peril  of  their  lives. 

"  I  think  it  would  be  well  to  return  home  early 
to-night,"  Mr.  Travilla  remarked  to  Elsie. 

"  Yes,"  she  said,  "  on  account  of  the  children." 

So  the  carriage  was  ordered  at  once,  and  shortly 
after  leaving  the  table  they  were  on  their  way — 
Elsie,  children,  and  nurses  in  the  carriage,  with  Mr. 
Travilla,  Mr.  Dinsmore  and  son,  all  well  armed,  as 
their  mounted  escort. 


136  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Horace  had  been  taken  aside  by  bis  father  and 
told  of  the  afternoon's  adventure,  and  in  his  in- 
dignation was  almost  eager  for  "  a  brush  with  the 
insolent  ruffians." 

None  appeared,  however;  Ion  was  reached  in 
safety.  They  tarried  there  an  hour  or  more,  then 
returned  without  perceiving  any  traces  of  the  foe. 

The  hush  of  midnight  has  fallen  upon  the  Oaks, 
Ion,  Fairview,  and  all  the  surrounding  region;  the 
blinking  stars  and  young  moon,  hanging  a  golden 
crescent  just  above  the  horizon,  look  down  upon  a 
sleeping  world;  yet  not  all  asleep,  for  far  down  the 
road  skirting  yonder  wood  a  strange  procession  ap- 
proaches; goblin-like  figures,  hideous  with  enormous 
horns,  glaring  eyeballs,  and  lolling  red  tongues,  and 
mounted  upon  weird-looking  steeds,  are  moving 
silently  onward. 

They  reach  a  small  house  hard  by  the  roadside, 
pause  before  it,  and  with  a  heavy  riding  whip  the 
leader  thunders  at  the  door. 

The  frightened  inmates,  startled  from  their  sleep, 
cry  out  in  alarm,  and  a  man's  voice  asks,  "Who's 
there?" 

"  Open  the  door,"  commands  the  leader  in  a 
strange  sepulchral  voice. 

"I  must  know  first  who  is  there  and  what's 
wanted,"  returns  the  other,  hurrying  on  his  clothes. 

A  shot  is  fired  and,  penetrating  the  door,  strikes 
the  opposite  wall. 

"  Open  instantly,  or  we'll  break  In,  and  it  '11  be 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  137 

the  worse  for  you,"  thunders  the  leader;  and  with 
trembling  hands,  amid  the  cries  of  wife  and  chil- 
dren, the  man  removes  the  bars,  draws  back  the 
bolts,  and  looks  out,  repeating  his  question, 
"What's  wanted?" 

"  Nothing,  this  time,  Jim  White,  but  to  warn 
you  that  if  you  vote  the  Eepublican  ticket  we'll 
call  again,  take  you  to  the  woods,  and  flog  you 
within  an  inch  of  your  life — Beware!  Forward, 
men! "  and  the  troop  sweeps  onward,  while  White 
closes  and  bars  the  door  again,  and  goes  back  to  bed. 

"  Ku  Klux!  "  says  the  wife,  shuddering.  "  Jim, 
we'll  have  to  hide  o'  nights  now,  like  the  rest. 
Hush,  hush,  children,  they're  gone  now;  so  go  to 
sleep;  nothing  '11  hurt  ye.     Jim,  ye'll  mind?" 

"  Yes,  yes,  Betsy,  though  it  galls  me  to  be  ordered 
round  like  a  nigger;  me  with  as  white  a  skin  as  any 
o'  them." 

Onward,  still  onward  sweeps  the  goblin  train,  and 
again  and  again  the  same  scene  is  enacted,  the 
victim  now  a  poor  white,  and  now  a  freedman. 

At  length  they  have  reached  Fairview;  they  pause 
before  the  gate,  two  dismount,  make  off  into  the 
woods,  and  presently  reappear,  bearing  on  their 
shoulders  a  long  dark  object,  a  little  square  of  white 
visible  on  the  top. 

They  pass  through  the  gate,  up  the  avenue,  and 
silently  deposit  their  burden  at  the  door,  return 
to  their  companions,  and  with  them  repair  to  the 
negro  quarter. 


138  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Dismounting,  they  tie  their  horses  to  the  fence, 
and  leaving  them  in  charge  of  one  of  their  number, 
betake  themselves  to  the  nearest  cabin,  surround 
it,  break  open  the  door,  drag  out  the  man,  carry 
him  to  a  little  distance,  and  with  clubs  and  leathern 
straps   give  him  a  terrible  beating. 

Leaving  him  half  dead  with  pain  and  fright,  they 
return  to  his  cabin,  threaten  his  wife  and  children, 
rob  him  of  his  gun,  and  pass  on  to  repeat  their 
lawless  deeds,  menacing  some,  beating  and  shooting 
others,  not  always  sparing  women  or  children;  the 
latter  perhaps  being  hurt  accidentally  in  the  melee. 

From  the  quarter  at  Fairview  they  passed  on  to 
that  of  Ion,  continuing  there  the  same  threats  and 
acts  of  violence,  winding  up  by  setting  fire  to  the 
school-house   and  burning  it  to  the  ground. 

The  bright  light  shining  in  at  the  open  windows 
to  her  room  awoke  the  little  Elsie.  She  sprang 
from  her  bed  and  ran  to  the  window.  She  could 
see  the  flames  bursting  from  every  aperture  in  the 
walls  of  the  small  building,  and  here  and  there 
through  the  roof,  curling  about  the  rafters,  sending 
up  volumes  of  smoke  and  showers  of  sparks;  and  in 
their  light  the  demon-like  forms  of  the  mischief- 
doers,  some  seated  upon  their  horses  and  looking 
quietly  on,  others  flitting  to  and  fro  in  the  lurid 
glare;  while  the  roar  and  crackling  of  the  flames 
and  the  souad  of  falling  timbers  came  distinctly  to 
her  ear. 

At  the  sight  a  panic  terror  seized  the  child.    She 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  139 

flew  into  the  room  where  her  parents  lay  sleeping, 
but  with  habitual  thoughtfulness  for  others,  re- 
frained from  screaming  out  in  her  fright,  lest  she 
should  rouse  the  little  ones. 

She  went  to  her  father's  side,  put  her  lips  to  his 
ear,  and  said  in  low  tremulous  tones,  "  Papa,  papa, 
please  wake  up,  Fm  so  frightened;  there's  a  fire  and 
the  Ku  Klux  are  there.  Oh,  papa,  I'm  afraid  they'll 
come  here  and  kill  you! "  and  she  ended  with  a 
burst  of  almost  hysterical  weeping,  rousing  both 
father  and  mother. 

"  What  is  it,  darling?  "  asked  Mr.  Tra villa,  start- 
ing up  to  a  sitting  posture,  and  throwing  an  arm 
about  the  child,  "  what  has  alarmed  my  pet?  "  while 
the  mother,  exclaiming  "Vi!  is  she  gone  again?  " 
sprang  out  upon  the  floor  and  hastily  threw  on  a 
dressing-gown. 

"  No,  no,  no,  mamma;  Vi's  safe  in  bed,  but  look 
at  that  red  light  on  the  wall  yonder!  it's  fire,  and 
the  Ku  Klux! " 

In  another  moment  all  three  were  at  the  window 
overlooking  the  scene. 

"  The  school-house! "  exclaimed  Mr.  Travilla.  "  I 
am  not  surprised;  for  the  Klan  is  greatly  opposed 
to  the  education  of  the  negro,  and  has  burned  down 
buildings  used  for  that  purpose  in  other  places.  Do 
you  see  them,  wife — those  frightful  looking  horned 
animals?  " 

"Yes,"  she  said  with  a  shudder,  followed  by  a 
deep  sigh;  "  and,  oh,  Edward,  what  may  they  not  be 


140  ELSIE'8  MOTHERHOOD. 

doing  to  our  poor  people?  Can  we  do  anything  to 
save  them?  " 

He  shook  his  head  sadly. 

"No;  they  are  out  in  considerable  force,  and  I 
could  do  nothing,  single-handed,  against  twenty  or 
thirty  armed  men." 

"  Oh,  papa,  mamma,  I  am  so  frightened! "  cried 
little  Elsie,  clinging  to  them  both.  "Will  they  come 
here  and  hurt  us?" 

"I  think  not,  daughter,"  her  father  said  sooth- 
ingly; "their  raids  have  hitherto  been  almost 
entirely  confined  to  the  blacks  and  poor  whites, 
with  now  and  then  one  of  those  from  the  North 
whom  they  style  carpet-baggers." 

"  Be  calm,  dearest,  and  put  your  trust  in  the 
Lord,"  the  mother  said,  folding  the  trembling, 
sobbing  child  to  her  breast.  " ( The  beloved  of  the 
Lord  shall  dwell  in  safety  by  him,  and  the  Lord  shall 
cover  him  all  the  day  long/  '  Not  an  hair  of  your 
head  shall  fall  to  the  ground  without  your  Father.' " 

"  Yes,  sweet  words,"  said  Mr.  Travilla;  "  and  re- 
member what  the  Lord  Jesus  said  to  Pilate,  '  Thou 
couldst  have  no  power  at  all  against  me,  except  it 
were  given  thee  from  above.' " 

A  short  pause,  in  which  all  three  gazed  intently 
at  the  scene  of  conflagration,  then,  "Do  you  see 
how  the  walls  are  tottering?  "  said  Mr.  Travilla,  and 
even  as  he  spoke  they  tumbled  together  into  one 
burning  mass,  the  flames  shot  up  higher  than  be- 
fore, burning  with  a  fierce  heat  and  roar,  while  by 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  141 

their  lurid  light  the  Ku  Klux  could  be  seen  taking 
up  their  line  of  march  again. 

The  two  Elsies  watched  in  almost  breathless  sus« 
pense  till  they  saw  them  turn  in  a  direction  to  take 
them  farther  from  Ion. 

"  Thank  God  they  are  not  coming  here! "  ejacu- 
lated Mrs.  Travilla,  in  low,  reverent,  grateful  tones. 

"  Hark,  mamma,  papa,  I  hear  cries  and  screams !  " 
exclaimed  little  Elsie.  "  Oh,  it  must  be  some  of  the 
poor  women  and  children  coming  up  from  the 
quarter! " 

As  the  child  spoke  there  came  a  quick  sharp  tap, 
that  seemed  to  tell  of  fright  and  excitement,  at  the 
outer  door  of  the  suite  of  apartments,  and  an  old 
servant,  hardly  waiting  for  the  permission  to  enter, 
thrust  in  his  head,  saying  in  tremulous  tones,  "Mars 
Ed'ard,  de  people's  all  comin'  up  from  de  quarter, 
an'  knockin'  an'  eryin'  to  get  in.  Dere's  been  awful 
times  down  dere;  de  Ku  Klu " 

"Yes,  yes,  Jack,  I  know;  but  be  quiet,  or  you'll 
wake  the  children.  Open  the  hall  door  and  let  the 
poor  things  in,  of  course,"  said  Mr.  Travilla,  "  and 
I'll  be  down  in  a  moment." 

"  Plenty  room  on  de  back  veranda,  Mars  Ed'ard, 
an'  'tween  dat  an'  de  kitchen." 

"  Very  well,  they'll  be  safe  there;  but  if  they  don't 
feel  so,  let  them  into  the  hall." 

"Yes,  sah." 

The  head  was  withdrawn,  the  door  closed,  and 
Jack's  feet  could  be  heard  shuffling  downstairs. 


142  ELSIWS  MOTHERHOOD. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Travilla,  having  each  completed  a 
ha6ty  toilet,  were  about  to  go  down;  but  little  Elsie 
clung  to  her  mother. 

"  Mamma,  mamma,  don't  go  and  leave  me!  please 
let  me  go  too." 

"  My  darling,  you  would  be  quite  safe  here;  and 
it  is  much  earlier  than  your  usual  hour  for  rising." 

"But  day  is  breaking,  mamma,  and  I  could  not 
sleep  any  more;  besides,  maybe  I  could  help  to  com- 
fort them." 

"  I  think  she  could,"  said  her  father,  and  mamma 
gave  consent  at  once. 

They  found  the  back  veranda,  the  kitchen,  and 
the  space  between  filled  with  an  excited  crowd  of 
blacks,  old  and  young,  talking,  gesticulating,  cry- 
ing, moaning,  and  groaning. 

"De  Ku  KLux,  de  Ku  Klux!"  was  on  every  tongue. 

"  Tell  ye  what,  darkies,"  one  was  saying,  "  dey's 
debbils!  why,  two  ob  dem  stop  befo'  my  doah  an'  say, 
You  black  rascal,  give  us  some  watah!  quick  now, 
fo'  we  shoot  you  tru  the  head';  den  I  hand  up  a 
gourd  full — 'bout  a  quart,  min'  yo' — and  de  fust 
snatch  it  an'  pour  it  right  down  his  troat,  an'  hand 
de  gourd  back  quick's  a  flash;  den  he  turn  roun'  an' 
ride  off,  while  I  fill  de  gourd  for  de  udder,  an'  he 
do  jes'  de  same.  Tell  ye  what,  dey's  debbils!  didn't 
you  see  de  horns,  an'  de  big  red  tongues  waggin'?" 

There  was  a  murmur  of  assent,  and  a  shudder  ran 
through  the  throng.  But  Mr.  Travilla's  voice  was 
heard  in  cheerful  reassuring  tones. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  143 

"No,  boys,  they  are  men,  though  they  do  the 
work  of  devils.  I  have  seen  their  disguise,  and 
under  that  long  red  tongue,  which  is  made  of  flan- 
nel, and  moved  by  the  wearer's  real  tongue,  there 
is  a  leather  bag  inside  of  the  disguise;  and  into 
it  they  pour  the  water;  not  down  their  throats." 

"Dat  so,  Mars  Ed'ard?"  cried  several,  drawing 
a  long  breath  of  relief. 

"  Yes,  that  is  so,  boys.  And  they've  been  threat- 
ening and  abusing  you  to-night?" 

"Yes,  sah,  dat  dey  hab! "  cried  a  score  of  voices, 
and  one  after  another  showed  his  wounds,  and  told 
a  piteous  tale. 

Elsie  and  her  namesake  daughter  wept  over  their 
losses  and  sufferings;  the  medicine  closet  was  un- 
locked, and  its  stores  liberally  drawn  upon  for  mate- 
rials to  dress  their  wounds,  both  master  and  mistress 
attending  to  them  with  their  own  hands;  and  at 
the  same  time  speaking  soothing,  comforting  words, 
and  promising  help  to  repair  the  damage  to  their 
property,  and  make  good  their  losses:  also  to  bring 
their  enemies  to  justice  if  that  might  be  possible. 

It  was  broad  daylight  ere  the  work  was  finished. 

The  veranda  was  nearly  empty  now,  the  people 
slowly  returning  to  their  homes, — Mr.  Travilla  hav- 
ing assured  them  the  danger  was  past  for  the  pres- 
ent,— when  Elsie  caught  sight  of  a  woman  whom  she 
had  not  observed  till  that  moment. 

The  poor  creature  had  dropped  down  upon  a 
bench  at  the  kitchen  door.    Her  right  arm  hung 


144  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

useless  at  her  side;  with  the  left  she  held  the  bloody 
corpse  of  a  puny  infant  to  her  breast,  and  the  eyes 
she  lifted  to  the  face  of  her  mistress  were  full  of  a 
mute,  tearless  agony. 

Elsie's  overflowed  at  the  piteous  sight.  "  Oh,  my 
poor  Minerva/'  she  said,  "what  is  this  they  have 
done  to  you  and  poor  little  Ben?" 

"  Oh,  oh,  oh,  Miss  Elsie!  de  Ku  Kluxes  dey  shot 
tru  de  doah,  an'  de  balls  flyin'  all  roun',  an' — an' — 
one  hit  me  on  de  arm,  an'  killed  my  baby! "  she 
sobbed.  "  Oh!  oh!  oh!  de  doctah  mend  de  arm,  but 
de  baby,  he — he — done  gone  f  oreber."  And  the  sobs 
burst  forth  with  renewed  violence,  while  she  hugged 
the  still  form  closer,  and  rocked  herself  to  and  fro 
in  her  grief. 

"  Gone  to  heaven,  my  poor  Minerva,  to  be  forever 
safe  and  happy  with  the  dear  Lord  Jesus,"  her  mis- 
tress said  in  quivering  tones,  the  tears  rolling  fast 
down  her  own  cheeks. 

"An'  he  neber  hab  mo'  miseries,  honey,"  said 
Aunt  Dicey,  drawing  near;  "  no  Ku  Klux  come  into 
de  garden  ob  de  Lord  to  scare  him  or  hurt  him, 
bress  his  little  heart! " 

"  Wish  we  all  dere,  safe  an'  happy  like  he!  Let 
me  wash  off  de  blood  an'  dress  him  clean  for  de 
grave,"  said  Aunt  Sally,  the  nurse  of  the  quarter, 
gently  taking  the  child,  while  Mr.  Travilla  and  Elsie 
bound  up  the  wounded  arm,  speaking  soothingly  to 
the  sufferer,  and  promising  the  doctor's  aid  as  soon 
as  it  could  be  procured. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  145 

Aunt  Sally  sat  near  attending  to  the  last  offices 
for  the  tiny  corpse,  little  Elsie  looking  on,  tears 
coursing  down  her  cheeks.  Presently  going  to  her 
mother's  side,  she  whispered  a  few  words  in  her  ear. 

"  Yes,  dear,  you  may  go  to  the  bureau  drawer  and 
choose  it  yourself,"  was  the  prompt  reply,  and  the 
child  ran  into  the  house,  returning  with  a  baby's 
slip  of  fine  white  muslin,  delicately  embroidered. 

"Put  this  on  him,  Aunt  Sally/7  she  said; 
"mamma  gave  me  leave  to  get  it." 

Then  going  to  the  bereaved  mother,  and  clasping 
the  dusky,  toil-worn  hand  with  her  soft,  white 
fingers,  "  Don't  cry,  Minerva,"  she  said,  "  you  know 
poor  little  Ben  was  always  sick,  and  now  he  is  well 
and  happy.  And  if  you  love  Jesus,  you  will  go  to 
be  with  him  again  some  day." 

Evidently  much  gratified  by  the  honor  done  her 
dead  babe,  Minerva  sobbed  out  her  thanks  for  that, 
and  the  dressing  of  her  wounded  arm,  and  dropping 
a  courtesy,  followed  Aunt  Sally  as  she  bore  the 
corpse  into  Aunt  Dicey's  cabin  close  by. 

The  scanty  furniture  of  Minerva's  own  had  been 
completely  demolished  by  the  desperadoes,  and  her 
husband  terribly  beaten. 

He  and  one  or  two  others  had  not  come  up  with 
the  crowd,  presumably  from  inability  to  do  so,  and 
Mr.  Travilla  now  mounted  his  horse  and  went  in 
search  of  them. 

They  had  been  left  by  their  assailants  in  the 
woods,    where    one — "Uncle     Mose" — dreadfully 


146  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

crippled  by  rheumatism,  still  lay  on  the  ground  half 
dead  with  bruises,  cuts,  and  pistol  shot  wounds. 

Another  had  crawled  to  his  cabin  and  fainted 
upon  its  threshold;  while  a  third  lay  weltering  in 
his  gore  some  yards  distant  from  his. 

Mr.  Travilla  had  them  all  carried  into  their 
houses  and  made  as  comfortable  as  circumstances 
would  permit,  and  a  messenger  was  despatched  in 
all  haste  for  Dr.  Barton. 

The  family  at  Fairview  had  slept  through  the 
night  undisturbed  by  the  vicinity  or  acts  sof  the 
raiders.  Mr.  Leland's  first  intimation  of  their  visit 
was  received  as  he  opened  the  front  door  at  his 
usual  early  hour  for  beginning  his  morning  round 
of  the  plantation. 

He  almost  started  back  at  the  sight  of  a  rude  pine 
coffin  directly  before  him;  but  recovering  himself 
instantly,  stooped  to  read  a  label  affixed  to  the  lid. 

"  Beware,  odious  carpet-bagger!  this  is  your  third 
and  last  warning.  Leave  the  country  within  ten 
days,  or  your  carcass  fills  this." 

He  read  it  deliberately  through,  carefully  weigh- 
ing each  word,  not  a  muscle  of  his  face  moving,  not 
a  tremor  agitating  his  nerves. 

Turning  to  his  overseer,  who  at  that  moment  ap- 
peared before  him,  "  Bring  me  a  hatchet,"  he  said 
in  stern,  calm  tones,  "  and  be  quick,  Park;  I  would 
not  have  your  mistress  see  this  on  any  account/' 

Stepping  upon  the  lid  as  ha  spoke,  he  broke  ii  ia 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  147 

with  a  crash,  finishing  his  work  when  the  hatchet 
came,  by  splitting  the  coffin  up  into  kindling-wood. 

"  There! "  he  said,  bidding  the  man  gather  up 
the  fragments  and  carry  them  to  the  kitchen, 
"  they'll  not  put  me  into  that,  at  all  events.  What 
mischief  have  they  been  at  in  the  quarter,  I  won- 
der? "  he  added,  springing  into  the  saddle. 

"Dreffle  bad  work,  sah;  mos'  killed  two  ob  de 
boys;  scared  de  rest  to  deff,"  said  Park,  hastily  obey- 
ing the  order  to  gather  up  the  bits  of  wood,  "  jes' 
gwine  tell  ye,  sah,  when  you  tole  me  go  for  de 
hatchet." 

"Indeed!  hellish  work!  Follow  me,  Park,  as 
quickly  as  you  can.  And  mind,  not  a  word  of  this," 
pointing  to  the  demolished  coffin,  "  to  anyone,"  and 
putting  spurs  to  his  horse,  he  galloped  off  in  the 
direction  of  the  quarter. 

But  presently  catching  sight  of  the  still  smoking 
embers  of  the  Ion  school-house,  he  drew  rein  for  an 
instant  with  a  sudden  exclamation  of  surprise  and 
regret.  "The  wretches,  what  will  they  do  next? 
burn  our  houses  about  our  ears?"  and  sighing,  he 
pursued  his  way. 

Indignant  anger  and  tender  pity  and  compassion 
filled  his  breast  by  turns,  on  reaching  the  quarter 
and  discovering  the  state  of  things  there;  worse  even 
than  Park's  report  had  made  it. 

He  rode  from  cabin  to  cabin,  inquiring  into  the 
condition  of  the  inmates  and  speaking  words  of  pity 
and  of  hope. 


148  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Finding  several  badly  bruised  and  cut,  and  others 
suffering  from  gunshot  wounds,  he  sent  to  the  house 
for  lint,  salve,  and  bandages,  and  directed  a  lad  to 
run  to  the  stables,  saddle  a  horse,  and  go  immedi- 
ately for  Dr.  Barton. 

"  De  doctah  ober  to  Ion  now,  sah,"  returned  the 
boy;  "  debbils  dere  las'  night,  too,  sah." 

"  Eun  over  to  Ion,  then,  and  ask  the  doctor  to 
come  here  when  he  is  through  there,"  said  Mr. 
Leland. 

Mr.  Travilla  came  with  the  doctor,  and  the  two 
planters  compared  notes,  in  regard  to  damages,  Mr. 
Leland  also  telling  the  story  of  the  coffin  laid  at  his 
door. 

"  What  do  you   intend   doing?  "  asked  Travilla. 

"  Inclination  says,  '  Stay  and  brave  it  out ';  but 
I  have  not  yet  fully  decided.  I  have  invested  all 
my  means  in  this  enterprise,  and  have  a  wife  and 
family  of  helpless  little  ones  to  support." 

"  That  makes  it  hard  indeed;  yet  I  fear  your  life 
is  in  great  danger.  But  come  what  may,  Leland, 
I  stand  your  friend.  If  you  should  be  attacked, 
fly  to  Ion;  you  will  find  an  open  door,  a  hearty 
welcome,  and  such  protection  as  I  am  able  to  give. 
I  think  we  could  conceal  you  so  that  it  would  be  a 
matter  of  difficulty  for  your  foes  to  find  you." 

"  A  thousand  thanks!  God  bless  you  for  your 
kindness,  sir! "  exclaimed  Leland,  with  emotion, 
warmly  grasping  the  hand  held  out  to  him;  and 
the  two  parted,  each  wending  his  homeward  way. 


CHAPTEE  XIII. 

Humble  love, 
And  not  proud  reason,  keeps  the  door  of  heaven 
Love  finds  admission,  where  proud  science  fails. 

—  Young. 

Elsie  was  on  the  veranda  looking  for  her  hus- 
band's return  to  breakfast;  for  it  was  already  past 
the  usual  hour. 

"All  alone,  little  wife?"  he  asked,  as  he  dis- 
mounted and  came  up  the  steps. 

"  Not  now/'  she  answered,  putting  her  arms  about 
his  neck  and  looking  up  at  him  with  her  own  fond, 
beautiful  smile.  "But  your  face  is  sad,  my  hus- 
band!    What  news?" 

"  Sad  enough,  my  little  friend;  poor  old  Uncle 
Mose  has  been  so  barbarously  handled  that  he  can- 
not live  through  the  day,  Dr.  Barton  says;  and  two 
of  the  others  are  suffering  very  much." 

Elsie's  eyes  were  full.  "Does  Uncle  Mose  know 
it?"  she  asked. 

"Yes,  I  told  him,  as  tenderly  as  I  could,  and 
asked  if  he  was  ready  to  go.  'Yes,  Mars  Edard,' 
he  said,  with  a  triumphant  smile, \ I  is — for  I'se  got 
fast  hold  ob  Jesus.'" 

149 


150  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Elsie's  head  was  laid  on  her  husband's  shoulder, 
the  bright  drops  were  coming  fast  down  her  cheeks. 

"I  have  sent  word  to  Mr.  Wood,"  he  went  on; 
"  the  poor  old  fellow  is  anxious  to  see  him;  and  you 
also." 

"  Yes,  yes;  I  will  go  down  directly  after  prayers," 
she  said. 

Then  he  told  her  of  the  coffin  laid  at  the  door  of 
Fairview,  and  the  threatening  words  on  its  lid. 

She  heard  it  with  a  shudder  and  a  sigh.  "  Oh, 
poor  Mr.  Leland!  Edward,  don't  you  think  it  would 
be  wise  in  him  to  leave  for  the  present?  " 

"  Perhaps  so.  I  fear  they  will  really  attempt  his 
life  if  he  stays;  but  all  his  means  being  invested  in 
Fairview  makes  it  very  hard.  "Where  are  our 
children?  " 

"  They  went  to  deck  the  corpse  of  Baby  Ben  with 
flowers.  Ah,  here  they  come,  the  darlings!  "  as  little 
feet  came  pattering  through  the  hall. 

They  hastened  to  their  father  for  their  usual 
morning  kiss,  and  hung  about  him  with  tender  lov- 
ing caresses;  but  their  manner  was  subdued,  and 
Vi  and  Harold  told  with  a  sort  of  wondering  awe 
of  the  poor  little  dead  baby  so  still  and  cold. 

"  Are  you  going  out,  mamma?  "  asked  little  Elsie 
an  hour  later,  as  Mrs.  Travilla  appeared,  dressed  in 
walking  costume,  in  the  midst  of  the  group  of  chil- 
dren and  nurses  gathered  under  a  tree  on  the  shady 
side  of  the  house. 

"  Yes,  daughter,  I  am  going  down  to  the  quarter 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  151 

to  see  poor  old  Uncle  Mose,  who  is  very  ill;  and  I 
want  you  to  be  mother  to  the  little  ones  while  I  am 
away." 

"Oh,  mamma,  mayn't  we  go  with  yon?"  cried 
Eddie  and  Vi  in  a  breath;  Harold  chiming  in,  "  And 
me  too,  mamma,  me  too! " 

"  No,  dears,  not  to-day,  bnt  some  other  time  you 
shall,"  the  mother  answered,  giving  each  a  good-bye 
kiss. 

"Mamma,  stay  wis  us;  I'se  'f'aid  de  Kluxes  get 
'oo! "  said  Harold  coaxingly,  clinging  about  her 
neck  with  his  chubby  arms,  while  the  big  tears 
gathered  in  his  great  dark  eyes. 

"  No,  dear,  they  don't  come  in  the  day-time.  And 
God  will  take  care  of  me.  Papa  is  down  at  the 
quarter,  too;  and  Uncle  Joe  and  mammy  will  go 
with  me."  And  with  a  tender  caress  she  gently 
released  herself   from   his    hold  and  turned  away. 

The  children  gazed  wistfully  after  her  graceful 
figure  as  it  disappeared  among  the  trees,  Uncle 
Joe  holding  a  great  umbrella  over  her  to  shield  her 
from  the  sun,  while  mammy  and  Aunt  Sally  fol- 
lowed, each  with  a  basket  on  her  arm. 

Uncle  Mose  was  rapidly  nearing  that  bourne 
whence  no  traveller  returns.  As  his  mistress  laid 
her  soft  white  hand  on  his,  she  felt  that  the  chill  of 
death  was  there. 

"You  are  almost  home,  Uncle  Mose,"  she  said, 
bending  over  him,  her  sweet  face  full  of  tender 
sympathy. 


152  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"Yes,  my  dear  young  missus,  Fse  in  de  valley," 
he  answered,  speaking  slowly  and  with  difficulty, 
"  but  bress  de  Lord,  it's  not  dark! " 

"Jesus  is  with  you?" 

"Yes,  missus,  he  is  my  strength  and  my  song: 
de  Tiber's  deep,  but  he'll  neber  let  me  sink.  De 
pain  in  dis  ole  body's  dreffle,  but  I'll  neber  hab  no 
mo',  bress  de  Lord!" 

"  Do  your  good  works  give  you  this  comfortable 
assurance  that  you  are  going  to  heaven,  Uncle 
Mose?" 

"  Bress  yo'  heart,  honey,  I  aint  neber  done  none; 
but  de  bressed  Lord  Jesus  covers  me  all  ober  wid  his 
goodness,  and  God  de  Fader  'cepts  me  for  his  sake." 

"Yes,  that  is  it;  'He  hath  made  him  to  be  sin 
for  us,  who  knew  no  sin;  that  we  might  be  made  the 
righteousness  of  God  in  him.'  '  There  is  none  other 
name  under  heaven  given  among  men  whereby  we 
must  be  saved; '  and  '  he  that  believeth  on  him  shall 
not  be  confounded.' " 

"Yes,  honey,  dose  de  words  ob  de  Good  Book. 
Now  will  you  please  sing  de  twenty-third  Psalm,  an' 
den  ask  de  Lord  Jesus  keep  fas'  hold  dis  ole  niggah, 
till  Jordan  am  past,  an'  de  gate  into  de  city?  " 

The  request  was  granted;  the  sweet  voice  that 
had  thrilled  the  hearts  of  many  of  the  rich  and 
noble  of  earth  freely  poured  forth  its  richest 
strains  to  soothe  the  dying  throes  of  agony  of  a 
poor  old  negro. 

Then  kneeling  by  the  humble  couch,  in  a  few 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  153 

simple,  touching  words  she  commended  the  depart- 
ing spirit  to  the  almighty  love  and  care  of  Him  who 
had  shed  his  blood  to  redeem  it,  earnestly  pleading 
that  the  dying  one  might  be  enabled  to  cast  him- 
self wholly  on  Jesus,  and  in  doing  so  be  granted  a 
speedy  and  abundant  entrance  into  his  kingdom 
and  glory. 

The  fervent  "  Amen! "  of  Uncle  Mose  joined  in 
with  hers;  then  low  and  feebly  he  added,  "  De  good 
— Lord — bress  you — my  dear — young — missus." 

A  shadow  had  fallen  on  Elsie,  and  as  she  rose  from 
her  knees  she  turned  her  head  to  find  her  father 
standing  at  her  side. 

He  drew  her  to  him  and  pressed  his  lips  tenderly 
to  her  forehead.  "You  must  go  now;  the  heat 
of  the  sun  is  already  too  great  for  you  to  be  out 
with  safety." 

The  low  quiet  tone  was  one  of  authority  as  of  old. 

He  only  waited  for  her  good-bye  to  Uncle  Mose, 
and  to  speak  a  few  kindly  words  of  farewell  him- 
self, then  led  her  out  and  placed  her  in  his  carriage 
which  stood  at  the  door. 

•Mr.  Travilla  rode  up  at  that  instant.  "  That  is 
right,"  he  said.  "  Little  wife,  I  am  loath  to  have 
you  exposed  to  the  heat  of  this  sultry  day." 

"And  you,  Edward?  can  you  not  come  home 
now?"  she  asked. 

"  Not  yet,  wife;  there  are  several  matters  I  must 
attend  to  first,  and  I  want  to  speak  to  Mr.  Wood, 
who,  I  see,  is  just  coming." 


154  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

He  kissed  his  hand  to  her  with  the  gallantry  of 
the  days  of  their  courtship,  and  cantered  off,  while 
the  carriage  rolled  on  its  way  toward  the  mansion. 

"  Daughter,  if  you  must  visit  the  quarter  during 
this  sultry  weather,  can  you  not  choose  an  earlier 
hour?  "  asked  Mr.  Dinsmore. 

"  I  think  I  can  after  this,  papa; "  and  she  went 
on  to  explain  how  her  time  had  been  taken  up  be- 
fore breakfast  that  morning.  "  Do  you  know  about 
Mr.  Leland?"  she  asked  in  conclusion. 

"Yes;  their  next  outrage  will,  I  fear,  be  an 
attack  upon  him." 

"  Then  upon  you  and  Edward! "  she  said,  her 
cheek  growing  very  pale  and  her  eyes  filling. 
"  Papa,  I  am  becoming  very  anxious." 

" e  I  would  have  you  without  carefulness,' "  he 
answered,  taking  her  hand  in  his.  "  They  can  have 
no  power  at  all  against  us,  except  it  be  given  them 
from  above.  My  child,  God  reigns,  and  if  God  be 
for  us,  who  can  be  against  us  ?  " 

"  Yes,  dear  papa,  and  with  David  let  us  say,  '  In 
the  shadow  of  thy  wings  will  I  make  my  refuge, 
until  these  calamities  be  overpast.' " 

Mr.  Dinsmore  was  still  with  his  daughter  when 
Mr.  Travilla  returned  with  the  news  that  Uncle 
Mose's  sufferings  were  over,  and  it  had  been 
arranged  that  he  and  baby  Ben  should  be  buried 
that  evening  at  dusk. 

The  children  begged  to  be  permitted  to  attend  the 
double  funeral;  but  their  parents  judged  it  best  to 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  155 

deny  them,  fearing  an  onslaught  by  the  Ku  Klux, 
of  which  there  was  certainly  a  possibility. 

"I  have  been  talking  with  Leland,"  Mr.  Tra* 
villa  remarked  aside  to  his  friend,  "  and  he  proposes 
that  we  accompany  the  procession  as  a  mounted 
guard." 

"  Good! "  said  Mr.  Dinsmore;  "Horace  and  I  will 
join  you;  and  let  us  all  go  armed  to  the  teeth." 

"  Certainly;  and  I  accept  your  offer  with  thanks. 
Some  of  the  boys  themselves  are  pretty  fair  marks- 
men,  but  they  were  all  robbed  of  their  arms 
last  night." 

"  Let  us  supply  them  again,  Edward,"  exclaimed 
Elsie,  with  energy,  "  and  have  them  practise  shoot- 
ing at  a  mark." 

Her  husband  assented  with  a  smile.  "You  are 
growing  warlike  in  your  feelings,"  he  said. 

"  Yes,  I  believe  in  the  privilege  and  duty  of  self- 
defence." 

Toward  evening  Mr.  Dinsmore  rode  back  to  the 
Oaks,  returning  to  Ion  with  his  son,  shortly  before 
the  appointed  hour  for  the  obsequies. 

Elsie  saw  them  and  her  husband  ride  away  in  the 
direction  of  the  quarter,  not  without  some  fluttering 
of  the  heart,  and  with  a  silent  prayer  for  their 
safety,  retired  with  her  children  to  the  observatory 
at  the  top  of  the  house,  from  whence  a  full  view 
might  be  obtained  of  the  whole  route  from  the  cabin 
of  Uncle  Mose  to  the  somewhat  distant  place  of 
sepulture;    the    spot   chosen    for  that  purpose  in 


156  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

accommodation  to  the  superstitious  feelings  of  the 
blacks,  which  led  them  to  prefer  to  lay  their  dead 
at  a  distance  from  their  own  habitations. 

The  children  watched  with  deep  interest  as  the 
procession  formed,  each  man  carrying  a  blazing 
pine-knot,  passed  down  the  one  street  of  the  quar- 
ter, and  wound  its  slow  way  along  the  road  that 
skirted  two  sides  of  the  plantation,  then  halfway 
up  a  little  hill,  where  it  gathered  in  a  circle  about 
the  open  grave. 

Twilight  was  past,  thick  clouds  hid  the  moon, 
and  the  torches  shone  out  like  stars  in  the 
darkness. 

"Mamma,  what  dey  doin'  now? "  asked  Harold. 

"Listen!  perhaps  you  may  hear  something,"  she 
answered,  and  as  they  almost  held  their  breath  to 
hear,  a  wild,  sweet  negro  melody  came  floating  upon 
the  still  night  air. 

"  They're  singing,"  whispered  Vi,  "  singing  Ca- 
naan, 'cause  Uncle  Mose  and  little  Baby  Ben  have 
got  safe  there." 

No  one  spoke  again  till  the  strains  had  ceased 
with  the  ending  of  the  hymn. 

"Now  Mr.  Wood  is  talking,  I  suppose,"  re- 
marked Eddie,  in  a  subdued  tone,  "  telling  them 
we  must  all  die,  and  which  is  the  way  to  get  to 
heaven." 

"  Else  praying,"  said  Vi. 

"  Mamma,  what  is  die?  "  asked  Harold,  leaning  on 
her  lap. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD,  157 

"If  we  love  Jesus,  darling,  it  is  going  home  to 
be  with  him,  and,  oh,  so  happy." 

"But  Baby  Ben  die,  and  me  saw  him  in  Aunt 
Dicey's  house." 

"That  was  only  his  body,  son;  the  soul, — the 
part  that  thinks  and  feels  and  loves, — has  gone  away 
to  heaven,  and  after  awhile  God  will  take  the  body 
there  too." 

For  obvious  reasons  the  services  at  the  grave  were 
made  very  short,  and  in  another  moment  they  could 
see  the  line  of  torches  drawing  rapidly  nearer, 
till  it  reached  the  quarter  and  broke  into 
fragments. 

"We  will  go  down  now,"  Elsie  said,  rising  and 
taking  Harold's  hand,  "papa,  grandpa,  and  Uncle 
Horace  will  be  here  in  a  moment." 

"Mamma,"  whispered  her  namesake  daughter, 
"  how  good  God  was  to  keep  them  safe  from  the  Ku 
Klux! " 

"Yes,  dearest,  let  us  thank  him  with  all  ou? 
hearts." 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

The  more  the  bold,  the  bustling,  and  the  bad, 
Press  to  usurp  the  reins  of  power,  the  more 
Behooves  it  virtue,  with  indignant  zeal, 
To  check  their  combination. 

— Thomson* 

The  spirit  of  resistance  was  now  fully  aroused 
within  the  breasts  of  our  friends  of  Ion  and  the 
Oaks.  Mr.  Travilla's  was  a  type  of  the  American 
character;  he  would  bear  long  with  his  injuries, 
vexations,  encroachments  upon  his  rights,  but  when 
once  the  end  of  his  forbearance  was  reached,  wo 
to  the  aggressor;  for  he  would  find  himself  opposed 
by  a  man  of  great  resources,  unconquerable  deter- 
mination, and  undaunted  courage. 

His  measures  were  taken  quietly,  but  with, 
promptness  and  energy.  He  had  been  seeking 
proofs  of  the  identity  of  the  raiders,  and  found 
them  in  the  case  of  one  of  the  party,  whose  gait 
had  been  recognized  by  several,  his  voice  by  one 
or  two,  while  the  mark  of  his  bloody  hand  laid 
upon  the  clothing  of  one  of  the  women  as  he 
roughly  pushed  her  out  of  his  way  seemed  to  fur- 
nish the  strongest  circumstantial  evidence  against 
him. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  159 

George  Boyd's  right  hand  had  been  maimed  in 
a  peculiar  manner  during  the  war,  and  this 
bloody  mark  upon  the  woman's  night-dress  was  its 
exact  imprint. 

Already  Mr.  Travilla  had  procured  his  arrest, 
and  had  him  imprisoned  for  trial,  in  the  county 
jail. 

Yet  this  was  but  a  small  part  of  the  day's  work: 
/umber  had  been  ordered  and  men  engaged  for  the 
rebuilding  of  the  school-house;  merchandise  also 
to  replace  the  furniture  and  clothing  destroyed; 
and  arms  for  every  man  at  the  quarter  capable  of 
using  them. 

All  this  Elsie  knew  and  approved,  as  did  her 
father  and  brother.  For  Mrs.  Carrington's  sake 
they  deeply  regretted  that  Boyd  was  implicated 
in  the  outrage;  but  all  agreed  that  justice  must 
have  its  course. 

The  question  had  been  mooted  in  both  families 
whether  any  or  all  of  them  should  leave  the  South 
until  the  restoration  of  law  and  order  should  render 
it  a  safe  abiding  place  for  honest,  peaceable  folk, 
but  unanimously  decided  in  the  negative. 

The  gentlemen  scorned  to  fly  from  the  despera- 
does and  resign  to  their  despotic  rule  their  poor 
dependents  and  the  land  of  their  love;  nay,  they 
would  stay  and  defend  both  to  the  utmost  of  their 
power;  and  the  wives  upheld  their  husbands  in  their 
determination,  and  refused  to  leave  them  to  meet 
the  peril  alone. 


160  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Returning  from  the  burial  of  Uncle  Mose  Mr. 
Dinsmore  and  Horace  spent  an  hour  at  Ion  before 
riding  back  to  the  Oaks. 

The  three  gentlemen  were  in  the  library  earnestly- 
discussing  the  state  of  affairs,  when  Elsie,  coming 
down  from  seeing  her  little  ones  settled  for  the 
night,  heard  the  sound  of  wheels  in  the  avenue,  and 
stepping  to  the  door  saw  the  Ashlands  carriage  just 
drawing  up  in  front  of  it. 

The  vehicle  had  scarcely  come  to  a  standstill  ere 
its  door  was  thrown  hastily  open  and  the  elder  Mrs. 
Carrington  alighted. 

Elsie  sprang  to  meet  her  with  outstretched  arms 
and  the  exclamation,  "  My  dear  old  friend! " 
though  her  heart  beat  quickly,  her  cheek  crimsoned, 
and  tears  filled  her  eyes. 

The  old  lady,  speechless  with  grief,  fell  upon  her 
neck  and  wept  there  silently  for  a  moment;  then 
low  and  gaspingly,  in  a  voice  broken  with  sobs,  "  I 
— have — come  to — ask  about — George,"  6he  said. 
"  Can  it,  oh,  can  it  be  that  he  has  done  this  dreadful 
thing?  "  and  shuddering  she  hid  her  face  on  Elsie's 
shoulder,  her  slight  frame  shaken  with  the  sobs  she 
vainly  strove  to  suppress. 

"Dear  Mrs.  Carrington,  I  am  so  sorry,  so  very 
sorry  to  think  it,"  Elsie  said,  in  a  voice  full  of  tears, 
"  my  heart  aches  for  you  who  love  him  so;  you  who 
have  been  so  sorely  afflicted-:  may  the  Lord  give  you 
strength  to  bear  up  under  this  new  trial." 

"He  will!  he  does!    My  sister's  son!  oh,  'tis  sad, 


ELSIE' 8  MOTHERHOOD.  161 

'tis    heart-breaking!      But    the    proofs:    what  are 
they?" 

Elsie  named  them;  first  drawing  her  friend  to  a 
seat  where  she  supported  her  with  her  arm. 

"  Yes,  yes,  his  voice,  his  gait  are  both  peculiar, 
and — his  hand.     Let  me  see  that — that  garment." 

Leading  her  into  a  private  room  and  seating  her 
comfortably  there,  Elsie  had  it  brought  and  laid 
before  her. 

Mrs.  Carrington  gave  it  one  glance,  and  motion- 
ing it  away  with  a  look  and  gesture  of  horror, 
dropped  her  face  into  her  hands  and  groaned 
aloud. 

Elsie  kneeling  by  her  side,  clasped  her  arms  about 
her  and  wept  with  her. 

"  A  slayer  of  the  weak  and  helpless — a  murderer 
— a  midnight  assassin!  "  groaned  the  half  distracted 
aunt. 

"May  there  not  possibly  be  some  mistake.  Let 
us  give  him  the  benefit  of  the  doubt,"  whispered 
Elsie. 

"Alas,  there  seems  scarcely  room  for  doubt!" 
sighed  Mrs.  Carrington;  then,  with  a  determined 
effort  to  recover  her  composure,  "  But  don't  think, 
dear  Elsie,  that  I  blame  you  or  your  husband.  Can 
I  see  him?  and  your  father,  if  he  is  here?" 

"  Yes,  they  are  both  here  and  will  rejoice  if  they 
can  be  of  any  comfort  or  service  to  you.  Ah,  I 
hear  papa's  voice  in  the  hall,  asking  for  me! "  and 
stepping  to  the  door,  she  called  to  him  and  her  hus- 


162  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

band,  "  Please  come  in  here,"  she  said,  u  Mrs.  Car- 
rington  wishes  to  see  you  both." 

"  You  here,  alone,  at  this  late  hour,  my  dear 
madam!  "  Mr.  Dinsmore  exclaimed,  taking  the  old 
lady's  hand  in  a  cordial  grasp;  "  your  courage  sur- 
prises me." 

"Ah,  my  good  friend,  they  who  have  little  to 
lose,  need  not  have  much  to  do  with  fear,"  she  an- 
swered. "  That  was  what  I  told  Sophie,  who  would 
have  had  me  defer  my  call  till  to-morrow." 

"  My  dear  madam,  you  are  surely  right  in  think- 
ing that  no  one  would  molest  you — a  lady  whom  all 
classes  unite  in  loving  and  honoring,"  Mr.  Travilla 
said,  greeting  her  with  almost  filial  respect  and 
affection. 

She  bowed  in  acknowledgment.  "  Do  not  think 
for  a  moment  that  I  have  come  to  upbraid  you, 
gentlemen.  Justice  demands  that  those  who  break 
the  laws  suffer  the  penalty,  and  I  have  nothing  to 
say  against  it;  though  the  criminal  be  my  own  flesh 
and  blood.  But  I  want  to  hear  all  about  this  sad 
affair." 

They  told  her  briefly  all  they  knew,  she  listening 
with  calm  though  sad  demeanor. 

"  Thank  you,"  she  said,  when  they  had  finished. 
"  That  George  is  guilty,  I  dare  hardly  doubt,  and 
I  am  far  from  upholding  him  in  his  wickedness. 
As  you  all  know,  I  was  strong  for  secession,  and 
and  no  Kepublican  now,  but  I  say,  perish  the  cause 
that  can  be  upheld  only  by  such  measures  as  these. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  163 

I  would  have  every  member  of  this  wicked,  dread- 
ful conspiracy  brought  to  punishment;  they  are 
ruining  their  country;  but  their  deeds  are  not 
chargeable  upon  the  secessionists  of  the  war  time, 
as  a  class." 

"That  is  certainly  true,  madam." 

"We  are  fully  convinced  of  that,  Mrs.  Carring- 
ton," the  gentlemen  replied. 

She  rose  to  take  leave.  Mr.  Travilla  requested 
her  to  delay  a  little  till  his  horse  could  be  brought 
to  the  door  and  he  would  see  her  home. 

"  No,  no,  Travilla/'  said  Mr.  Dinsmore,  "  Horace 
and  I  will  do  that,  if  Mrs.  Carrington  will  accept  our 
escort." 

"  Many  thanks  to  you  both,  gentlemen,"  she  said, 
"  but  I  assure  you  I  am  not  in  the  least  afraid;  and 
it  would  be  putting  you  to  unnecessary  trouble." 

"  On  the  contrary,  my  dear  madam,  it  would  be 
a  pleasure;  and  as  our  horses  are  already  at  the  door, 
we  need  not  delay  you  a  moment,"  said  Mr.  Dins- 
more.  "It  will  not  take  us  so  very  far  out  of  our 
way,  either;  and  I  should  like  to  have  a  word  with 
Sophie." 

Upon  that  Mrs.  Carrington  gratefully  accepted 
his  offer,  and  the  three  went  away  together. 

Convinced  of  his  guilt,  Mrs.  Carrington  made  no 
effort  to  obtain  the  release  of  her  nephew,  but 
several  of  his  confederates  having  perjured  them- 
selves to  prove  an  alibi  in  his  favor,  he  was  soon 
at  large  again. 


164  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

He  showed  his  face  no  more  at  the  Oaks  or  Ion, 
and  upon  occasion  of  an  accidental  meeting  with 
Travilla  or  either  of  the  Dinsmores,  regarded  him 
with  dark,  scowling  looks,  sometimes  adding  a  mut- 
tered word  or  two  of  anger  and  defiance. 

In  the  meantime  damages  had  heen  repaired  in 
the  quarters  at  Fairview  and  Ion,  and  the  men  at  the 
latter  secretly  supplied  with  arms;  also  the  rebuild- 
ing of  the  school-house  was  going  rapidly  ior- 
ward. 

A  threatening  notice  was  presently  served  upon 
Mr.  Travilla,  ordering  him  to  desist  from  the  at- 
tempt, as  the  teaching  of  the  blacks  would  not  be 
allowed  by  the  Ku  Klux. 

He,  however,  paid  no  attention  to  the  insolent 
demand,  and  the  work  went  on  as  before. 

Mr.  Leland  had  succeeded  in  keeping  the  affair 
of  the  coffin  from  his  wife,  thus  saving  her  much 
anxiety  and  distress. 

To  leave  just  at  this  time  would  be  a  great 
pecuniary  loss,  and  he  had  decided  to  remain;  but 
had  laid  his  plans  carefully  for  either  resistance  or 
escape  in  case  of  an  attack. 

A  couple  of  large,  powerful,  and  very  fine  watch 
dogs  were  added  to  his  establishment,  and  a  brace 
of  loaded  pistols  and  a  bowie  knife  were  always 
within  reach  of  his  hand. 

One  night  the  family  were  aroused  by  the  furious 
barking  of  the  dogs.  Instantly  Mr.  Leland  was 
out  upon  the  floor  hastily  throwing  on  his  clothes, 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  165 

while  his  wife,  with  the  frightened  cry,  "The  Ku 
Klux!"  ran  to  the  window. 

"  Yes  it  is!  they  are  surrounding  the  house!  Oh, 
Eobert,  fly  for  your  life! "  she  cried  in  the  wildest 
terror.  "  0  God,  save  my  poor  husband  from  these 
cruel  foes!"  she  added,  dropping  upon  her  knees 
and  lifting  hands  and  eyes  to  heaven. 

"He  will,  Mary,  never  fear,  wife,"  Mr.  Leland 
said  almost  cheerfully,  snatching  up  his  weapons  as 
he  spoke.  "  Pray  on,  it's  the  best  thing  you  can  do 
to  help  me." 

"You  must  fly!"  she  said;  "you  can't  fight 
twenty  men,  and  I  think  they  are  at  least  that 
many." 

"I'll  slip  out  at  the  back  door  then,  and  make 
for  the  woods,"  he  answered,  rushing  from  the 
room. 

Children  and  servants  were  screaming  with  af- 
fright, the  ruffians  thundering  at  the  front  door, 
calling  loudly  upon  Mr.  Leland  to  come  out,  and 
threatening  to  break  it  down  if  he  did  not  immedi- 
ately appear. 

Summoning  all  her  courage,  the  wife  went  again 
to  the  window  and  called  to  them,  asking  what  was 
wanted. 

"  Leland.  Tell  him  to  come  out  here  at  once,  or 
it  will  be  the  worse  for  him,"  returned  the  leader, 
in  a  feigned,  unnatural  voice. 

"He  is  not  here,"  she  said. 

"  He'd  better  show  himself  at  once,"  returned  the 


166  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

ruffian;  "  he'll  not  escape  by  refusing  to  do  so;  we'll 
6earch  every  corner  till  we  find  him." 

"That  will  be  as  God  pleases/'  she  said  in  a 
calm,  firm  tone,  her  courage  rising  with  the  emer- 
gency. 

She  was  answered  with  a  yell  of  rage  and  a 
repeated  order  to  come  down  and  open  the  door. 

"  I  shall  do  no  such  thing,"  she  said;  "  and  what 
is  more,  I  shall  shoot  down  the  first  man  that  sets 
foot  on  the  stairs." 

It  was  a  sudden  resolution  that  had  come  to  her. 
Encouraged  by  Mrs.  Travilla's  precept  and  example, 
she  had  been,  for  months  past,  industriously  train- 
ing herself  in  the  use  of  firearms,  and  kept  her 
loaded  revolver  at  hand;  and  now  she  would  create 
a  diversion  in  her  husband's  favor,  keeping  the 
raiders  at  bay  at  the  front  of  the  building  while 
he  escaped  at  the  back;  they  believed  him  to  be  in 
the  upper  story:  if  she  could  prevent  it,  they  should 
not  learn  their  mistake  till  he  had  had  time  to  gain 
the  woods  and  distance  pursuit. 

The  door  could  not  much  longer  withstand  the 
heavy  blows  dealt  it;  already  there  were  sounds  as 
if  it  were  about  to  give  away. 

"  Archie,"  she  said,  turning  to  her  son  and  speak- 
ing very  rapidly,  "those  men  are  here  to  kill  your 
father;  you  must  help  me  to  prevent  them  from 
coming  up  to  hunt  him.  The  rest  of  you  children 
stop  that  loud  crying,  which  won't  do  any  good. 
Kneel  down  and  pray,  pray,  pray  to  God  to  help 


ELSIE' 8  MOTHERHOOD.  167 

your  father  to  get  away  from  them.  Archie,  throw 
this  black  cloak  round  you.  Here  are  two  loaded 
pistols.  I  will  take  one,  you  the  other;  we  will  sta- 
tion ourselves  on  the  landing  at  the  head  of  the 
first  flight  of  stairs.  It  is  darker  in  the  house  than 
out  of  doors,  and  they  will  not  be  able  to  see  us,  but 
as  the  door  falls  and  they  rush  in  we  can  see  them 
in  their  white  gowns,  and  against  the  light.  Come!" 

They  hurried  to  the  landing. 

"  Now  we  must  not  be  in  too  great  haste,"  she 
whispered  in  his  ear;  "  keep  cool,  take  sure  aim,  and 
fire  low." 

The  words  had  scarcely  left  her  lips  when  the 
door  fell  with  a  crash,  and  with  a  yell  like  an  Indian 
warwhoop  several  disguised  men  rushed  into  the 
hall  and  hastily  advanced  toward  the  stairway;  but 
the  instant  the  foremost  set  foot  upon  it  two  shots 
were  fired  from  above,  evidently  not  without  effect; 
for  with  an  oath  he  staggered  back  and  fell  into  the 
arms  of  his  comrades. 

He  was  borne  away  by  two  of  them,  while  the 
others  returned  the  fire  at  random,  for  they  could 
not  see  their  adversaries. 

The  balls  whistled  past  Mrs.  Leland  and  her  son, 
but  they  stood  their  ground  bravely,  and  as  two  of 
their  assailants  attempted  to  ascend  the  stairs,  fired 
again  and  again,  driving  them  back  for  a  moment. 

At  the  same  time  sounds  of  conflict  came  from  the 
rear  of  the  dwelling — an  exchange  of  shots,  whoops, 
and  yells,  the  hurried  tramp  of  many  feet,  and  the 


168  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

yelping,  barking,  and  howling  of  the  dogs — and  in- 
stantly the  hall  was  cleared,  every  man  there 
hastening  to  join  in  this  new  struggle,  apparently 
satisfied  that  their  intended  victim  was  endeavor- 
ing to  make  his  escape  in  that  direction. 

Seeing  this,  Mrs.  Leland  and  her  son  ran  to  a 
window  overlooking  the  new  scene  of  contest,  their 
hearts  beating  between  hope  and  fear. 

Mr.  Leland  had  slipped  cautiously  out  of  the  back 
door,  and,  revolver  in  hand,  stepped  into  the  yard, 
but  only  to  find  himself  surrounded  by  his  foes. 

They  attempted  to  seize  him,  but  eluding  their 
grasp,  he  fired  right  and  left,  several  shots  in  suc- 
cession, the  others  returning  his  fire,  and  following 
in  hot  pursuit. 

There  was  no  moon  that  night,  and  the  darkness 
and  a  simple  suit  of  black  were  favorable  to  Leland, 
for  while  the  long  white  gowns  of  the  Ku  Klux  not 
only  trammeled  their  movements,  but  rendered  each 
an  easy  target  for  his  shot,  they  could  take  but  un- 
certain aim  at  him,  and  on  gaining  the  woods  he 
was  soon  lost  to  their  view  in  the  deepened  gloom 
of  its  recesses. 

But  the  balls  had  been  falling  about  him  like 
hailstones,  and  as  the  sounds  of  pursuit  grew 
fainter  he  found  himself  bleeding  profusely  from 
a  wound  in  the  leg.  He  dropped  behind  a  fallen 
tree,  and  partially  staunched  the  wound  with  some 
leaves  which  he  bound  on  with  a  handkerchief, 
fortunately  left  in  his  coat  pocket  that  night. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  169 

This  was  scarcely  accomplished  when  sounds  of 
approaching  footsteps  and  voices  told  him  the 
danger  was  not  yet  over. 

He  crouched  close  in  his  hiding  place,  and  hardly 
dared  breathe  as  they  passed  and  repassed,  some 
almost  stepping  on  him.  But  he  remained  undis- 
covered, and  at  length  they  abandoned  the  search, 
and  returning  to  the  vicinity  of  the  house,  gathered 
up  their  wounded  and  went  away. 

Yet  Leland  felt  that  it  was  not  safe  for  him  to 
venture  back  to  his  home,  as  they  might  return  at 
any  moment;  but  to  remain  where  he  was  with  his 
wound  undressed  was  almost  certain  death. 

He  resolved  to  accept  Mr.  Travilla's  offered  hos- 
pitality, if  his  strength  would  carry  him  so  far,  and 
was  rising  to  make  the  attempt  when  the  cracking 
of  a  dead  branch  told  him  that  some  living  thing 
was  near,  and  he  fell  back  again,  listening  intently 
for  the  coming  footsteps. 

"  Robert!    Robert!  "  called  a  low  tremulous  voice. 

"  Oh,  Mary,  is  it  you?  "  he  responded,  in  low  but 
joyous  accents,  and  the  next  moment  his  wife's  arms 
were  about  his  neck,  her  tears  warm  upon  his  cheek, 
while  Archie  stood  sobbing  beside  them. 

"  Thank  God,  thank  God,  that  you  are  alive! " 
she  said.    "  But  are  you  unhurt?  " 

"No,  I  am  bleeding  fast  from  a  wound  in  my 
leg, "  Leland  answered  faintly. 

"  I've  brought  lint  and  bandages/'  she  said;  "  let 
me  bind  it  up  as  well  as  I  can  in  the  dark." 


270  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  Daren't  we  strike  a  light?  "  asked  Archie. 

"  No,  my  son,  it  might  bring  them  on  ns  again, 
and  we  must  speak  low  too." 

"  Yes,  father;  but  oh,  what  will  you  do?  you  can't 
come  back  home  again?" 

"  No;  I  must  go  to  Ion  at  once,  while  I  can  do  so 
under  cover  of  the  darkness.  Travilla  has  offered 
to  hide  me  there.  Archie,  my  brave  boy,  I  can  trust 
you  with  this  secret." 

"  Father,  they  shall  kill  me  before  I'll  tell  it." 

"  I  trust  you  will  not  be  tried  so  far,"  Leland  said 
with  emotion.  "  I  would  not  save  my  life  at  the 
sacrifice  of  yours.  I  leave  your  mother  in  your  care, 
my  boy;  be  dutiful  and  affectionate  to  her,  and  kind 
to  your  little  brother  and  sisters.  Mary,  dear,  you 
and  Archie  will  have  to  manage  the  plantation  in 
in  my  absence,"  and  he  went  on  to  give  some 
directions. 

"  I  will  do  my  best,"  she  said  tearfully,  "  and  as 
we  have  been  for  months  past  frequent  visitors  at 
Ion,  I  can  surely  go  to  see  you  there  occasionally 
without  exciting  suspicion." 

"  Yes,  I  think  so." 

"Father,"  said  Archie,  "you  can  never  walk  to 
Ion;  let  me  bring  my  pony  and  help  you  to  mount 
him;  then  I  will  lead  him  to  Ion  and  bring  him  back 
again." 

"  That  is  a  bright  thought;  we  will  do  so,  if  you 
can  saddle  him  in  the  dark  and  bring  him  here  very 
quietly." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  171 

"  I'll  try,  father,"  and  the  boy  hastened  away  in 
the  direction  of  the  stables. 

He  returned  sooner  than  they  dared  hope,  with 
the  pony  saddled  and  bridled.  Husband  and  wife 
bade  a  mournful  adieu.  Mr.  Leland  mounted  with 
his  son's  assistance,  and  silently  they  threaded  their 
way  through  the  woods  to  Ion. 

"  Hoo!  hoo!  hoo!  "  the  cry  came  in  loud  and  clear 
through  the  open  windows  of  the  bedroom  of  the 
master  and  mistress  of  Ion,  and  startled  them  both 
from  their  slumbers. 

"  Hoo!  hoo!  hoo!  "  it  came  again,  and  with  a  light 
laugh,  Elsie  said,  "  Ah,  it  is  only  an  owl;  but  to  my 
sleeping  ear  it  seemed  like  a  human  cry  of  distress. 
But  Edward " 

He  had  sprung  from  the  bed  and  was  hurrying  on 
his  clothes.  "I  doubt  if  it  is  not,  little  wife,"  he 
said.  "It  is  the  signal  of  distress  Leland  and  I 
had  agreed  upon,  and  he  may  be  in  sore  need  of 
aid." 

"  Let  me  go  with  you! "  she  cried  tremulously, 
hastening  to  don  dressing-gown  and  slippers. 
"Shall  I  strike  alight?" 

"  No,  not  till  we  go  down  below  where  the  shut- 
ters are  closed.  There  is  no  knowing  what  foe  may 
be  lurking  near." 

Seizing  his  revolvers,  he  left  the  room  as  he 
spoke,  she  following  close  behind,  a  pistol  in  one 
hand,  a  lamp  and  match-box  in  the  other. 

Silently  they  groped  their  way  over  the  stairs, 


172  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

through  the  halls  and  corridors,  till  they  reached 
a  side  door,  which  Mr.  Travilla  cautiously  unbarred. 

"Who  is  there? "  he  asked,  scarcely  above  his 
breath. 

"  I,  sir/3  and  Mr.  Leland  stepped  in  and  fell  faint- 
ing to  the  floor. 

Elsie  had  set  her  lamp  upon  a  table,  and  laid  her 
pistol  beside  it,  and  while  her  husband  carefully 
secured  the  door  again  she  struck  a  light  and 
brought  it  near. 

Together  they  stooped  over  the  prostrate  form. 

"He  is  not  dead?"  she  asked,  with  a  shudder. 

"No,  no!  only  a  faint;  but,  see,  he  is  wounded! 
Your  keys,  wife! " 

"  Here,"  she  said,  taking  them  from  her  pocket, 
where,  with  rare  presence  of  mind,  she  had  thrust 
them  ere  leaving  her  room. 

They  hastened  to  apply  restoratives,  and  bind  up 
the  wound  more  thoroughly  than  Mrs.  Leland  had 
been  able  to  do  it. 

Eestored  to  consciousness,  Leland  gave  a  brief 
account  of  the  affair,  refreshed  himself  with  food 
and  drink  set  before  him  by  Elsie's  fair  hands,  and 
then  was  conducted  by  Mr.  Travilla  to  an  upper 
room  in  a  wing  of  the  building  dating  back  to  the 
old  days  of  Indian  warfare.  It  was  distant  from  the 
apartments  in  use  by  the  family,  and  had  a  large 
closet  entered  by  a  concealed  door  in  the  wains- 
coting. 

"Here  I  think  you  will  be  safe,"  remarked  his 


ELSIE' 8  MOTHERHOOD.  173 

host.  u  No  one  but  my  wife  and  myself  yet  knows 
of  your  coming,  and  it  shall  be  kept  secret  from  all 
but  Aunt  Chloe  and  Uncle  Joe,  two  tried  and  faith- 
ful servants.  Except  Dr.  Barton;  he  is  safe  and  will 
be  needed  to  extract  the  ball." 

"  Yes;  and  my  wife  and  boy  and  the  Dinsmores," 
added  Leland,  with  a  faint  smile.  "Travilla,  my 
good  friend,  I  can  never  thank  you  enough  for  this 
kindness." 

"Tut,  man!  'tis  nothing!  are  we  not  told  to  lay 
down  our  lives  for  the  brethren?  Let  my  help  you 
to  bed;  I  fear  that  leg  will  keep  you  there  for  some 
days." 

"  I  fear  so,  indeed,  but  am  sincerely  thankful  to 
have  gotten  off  so  well,"  replied  Leland,  accepting 
the  offered  assistance. 

"  A  most  comfortable,  nay  luxurious  prison  cell," 
he  remarked  cheerily,  glancing  about  upon  the 
elegant  and  tasteful  furniture;  "  truly  the  lines  have 
fallen  to  me  in  pleasant  places." 

Mr.  Travilla  smiled.  "We  will  do  what  we  can 
to  make  amends  for  the  loss  of  liberty.  It  cannot 
be  far  from  daybreak  now:  I  will  remove  the  light, 
throw  open  the  shutters  and  leave  you  to  rest.  You' 
must,  of  course,  be  anxious  about  your  family.  I 
will  ride  over  to  Fairview  and  bring  you  news  of 
them  within  the  hour." 


CHAPTEK  XV. 

It  gives  me  wonder,  great  is  my  content, 
To  see  you  here  before  me. 

— Shakspere's  OtheUo. 

Sir,  you  are  very  welcome  to  our  house. 

— Shakspere. 

Day  had  fully  dawned  when  Mr.  Travilla  re- 
entered his  sleeping  apartment,  to  find  Elsie  in  bed 
again,  but  lying  there  with  wide  open  eyes. 

"How  very  quietly  you  came  in;  careful  not  to 
disturb  me,  I  suppose,  my  good,  kind  husband,"  she 
said,  greeting  him  with  a  loving  look  and  smile,  as 
he  drew  near  her  couch. 

"  Yes,"  he  answered,  bending  over  her  and  fondly 
stroking  her  hair.  "  I  hoped  you  were  taking  an- 
other nap." 

"  No,  I  feel  as  if  I  should  never  be  sleepy  again. 
I'm  thinking  of  poor  Mrs.  Leland.  How  troubled, 
anxious,  and  distressed  she  must  feel! " 

"  Yes;  I  shall  ride  over  there  directly." 

"And  take  me  with  you?" 

"  Gladly,  if  you  like  to  go.  You  will  do  her  more 
good  than  I." 

"I  doubt  it;  but  perhaps  both  together  may  be 

174 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  175 

"better  than  either  one  alone.  Didn't  she  act 
bravely?" 

"  Yes;  she's  a  noble  woman." 

They  spent  some  moments  in  consulting  together 
how  to  make  their  guest  comfortable,  and  at  the 
same  time  effectually  conceal  his  presence  in  the 
house. 

They  rejoiced  in  the  fact  that  no  one  but  them- 
selves— his  own  son  excepted — had  been  cognizant 
of  his  arrival,  and  Elsie  agreed  with  her  husband 
that  it  should  be  kept  secret  from  the  children; 
servants  also,  save  Aunt  Chloe  and  Uncle  Joe,  whose 
services  would  be  needed,  and  who  could  be  trusted 
not  to  divulge  the  matter. 

"  Mammy  will  manage  about  his  meals,  I  know," 
said  Elsie,  "  and  Dr.  Barton's  visits  may  be  sup- 
posed to  be  paid  to  Violet.  The  darling!  how  glad 
and  thankful  I  am  that  she  seems  to  be  losing  her 
inclination  to  sleep-walking." 

"And  I,"  said  her  husband;  "thankful  to  God 
for  his  blessing  on  the  means  used,  and  to  Barton, 
who  is  certainly  an  excellent  physician." 

Their  talk  ended,  husband  and  wife  separated  to 
their  different  dressing-rooms. 

Elsie  rang  for  her  maid,  and  Aunt  Chloe  appeared 
in  answer  to  the  summons. 

Aunt  Chloe  was  no  longer  young,  or  even  elderly, 
but  had  attained  to  a  healthy  and  vigorous  old  age, 
and  still  so  delighted  in  her  old  pleasant  task  of 
busying  herself  about  the  person  of  her  young  mis- 


176  ELSIE' 8  MOTHERHOOD. 

tress,  that  she  would  only  occasionally  resign  it 
to  other  hands.  She  was  a  household  dignitary, 
head  tire-woman,  and  head  nurse,  and  much  looked 
up  to  by  the  younger  servants. 

She  came  in  quietly,  and  dropping  a  courtesy  said, 
"  Good-mornin',  Miss  Elsie,  I  hope  you's  well, 
honey,  but  you's  up  so  mighty  early." 

"  Ah,  mammy,  I'm  glad  it  is  you,  for  I  have  some- 
thing to  tell  you.  Yes,  I'm  quite  well,  thank  you," 
Elsie  answered,  then  while  making  a  rapid  toilet, 
went  on  to  relate  the  occurrences  of  the  last  few 
hours,  winding  up  by  putting  the  wounded  guest 
in  charge  of  Aunt  Ghloe  and  her  husband. 

The  faithful  old  creature  accepted  the  trust  with 
evident  pride  in  the  confidence  reposed  in  her. 

"Dis  chile  an'  Uncle  Joe  '11  take  care  ob  him, 
honey,  neber  fear,"  she  said,  carefully  adjusting  the 
folds  of  her  mistress'  riding  habit.  "  I'll  nuss  him 
to  de  best  ob  my  disability,  an'  de  good  Lord  '11  soon 
make  um  well,  I  hope." 

"And  you  and  Uncle  Joe  will  be  careful  not  to 
let  any  of  the  other  servants  know  that  he's 
here?" 

"Bat  we  will,  darlin',  for  shuah." 

The  sun  was  just  peeping  above  the  horizon  as 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tra villa  drew  rein  before  the  main 
entrance  to  the  Fairview  mansion. 

Mrs.  Leland  came  out  to  welcome  them.  She 
was  looking  pale  and  worn,  yet  met  them  with  a 
smile,   and   words   of   grateful  appreciation  of  all 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  177 

their  kindness,  then,  with  the  quick  tears  springing 
to  her  eyes,  asked  anxiously  after  her  husband's 
welfare. 

"  I  think  he  is  safe  and  will  do  well/'  Mr.  Tra- 
villa  said.  "  It  seems  to  be  only  a  flesh  wound,  and 
will  soon  heal  with  proper  treatment  and  good  nurs- 
ing. I  shall  go  from  here  to  Dr.  Barton's,  calling 
for  my  wife  on  my  return.  But  first  what  can  I 
do  for  you?  Ah,  I  see  your  door  is  quite  demol- 
ished. We  must  have  it  replaced  with  a  new  and 
stronger  one  before  night." 

"  Yes,  that  is  the  most  pressing  need  just  now," 
said  Mrs.  Leland.  "  Come  in  and  look;  there  is 
really  no  other  damage  except  a  few  bullet  holes  in 
the  walls,  and  these  blood-stains  on  the  matting," 
she  said  with  a  slight  shudder;  "  and  I  am  truly 
thankful  to  have  escaped  so  well." 

They  stepped  into  the  hall  (their  talk  so  far  had 
been  on  the  veranda),  and  gazed  with  interest  upon 
the  marks  of  the  night's  conflict,  Mrs.  Leland  mean- 
while giving  a  graphic  account  of  it. 

A  servant  was  diligently  at  work  cleaning  the 
matting,  and  had  nearly  obliterated  the  stains  left 
by  the  wounded  Ku  Klux. 

"And  you  shot  him,  Mrs.  Leland?"  Elsie  said 
inquiringly. 

"Archie  or  I,  or  perhaps  both  of  us,"  Mrs.  Le- 
land answered,  leading  the  way  to  the  parlor. 

They  sat  there  a  few  moments,  conversing  still 
upon  the  same  theme. 


178  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  You  will  hardly  dare  stay  here  at  night  now?  " 
Elsie  remarked. 

"  Yes;  where  else?  I  should  feel  very  little  safer 
from  the  Ku  Klux  in  the  woods,  and  the  malaria 
might  rob  us  all  of  health,  and  even  life." 

"  Come  to  Ion,"  said  both  her  visitors  in  a 
breath,  "you  will  be  most  welcome." 

"  A  thousand  thanks,"  she  answered  with 
emotion.  "  I  do  not  doubt  my  welcome;  yet  fear 
to  give  a  clue  to  my  husband's  hiding-place." 

"  There  might  be  danger  of  that,"  Mr.  Travilla 
said  thoughtfully;  "but  what  better,  my  dear 
madam,  can  you  do  ?  " 

"  Stay  here  and  put  my  trust  in  the  Lord. 
He  will  take  care  of  me  and  my  helpless  little  ones. 

"  I  have  been  thinking  of  one  of  our  noble  pioneer 
women  of  the  West,  whose  husband  was  killed  by 
the  Indians,  leaving  her  alone  in  the  wilderness  with 
six  small  children,  no  white  persons  within  several 
miles. 

"Her  friends  urged  her  to  leave  the  dangerous 
spot,  but  she  said,  '  No,  this  farm  is  all  I  have  for 
my  own  and  my  children's  support,  and  I  must  stay 
here.  God  will  protect  and  help  us.'  And  he  did; 
the  Indians,  though  they  knew  she  was  alone,  never 
attacked  her.  She  lay  sometimes  all  night  with  a 
broadax  in  her  hands,  ready  to  defend  her  babes; 
but  though  she  could  see  the  savages  come  into  her 
yard  and  light  their  pipes  at  her  brushwood  fire, 
they  never  approached  the  house." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  179 

Elsie's  eyes  kindled  with  enthusiastic  admiration, 
then  filled  with  tears.  "Dear,  brave  Christian 
woman!  and  you  will  emulate  her  courage  and 
faith?" 

"  I  shall  try;  the  hearts  of  the  Ku  Klux  of  to-day 
are  no  less  in  His  hands  than  those  of  the  Indians 
of  that  day  or  this." 

"  That  is  certainly  true,  and  he  never  fails  those 
who  put  their  trust  in  him,"  Mr.  Travilla  said, 
rising.  "Now,  wife,  I  will  leave  you  here  while  I 
go  for  Barton." 

"  Oh,  stay  a  moment,  Edward! "  she  exclaimed; 
"  a  thought  has  struck  me:  it  is  not  usual  for  you  to 
go  for  the  doctor  yourself:  might  it  not  excite  sus- 
picion? And  can  you  not  trust  Uncle  Joe  as  your 
messenger?  " 

"  Your  plan  is  best,"  he  said  with  a  pleased  smile. 
"Let  us  then  hasten  home  and  despatch  him  on 
the  errand  at  once." 

Dr.  Barton  found  the  wound  not  dangerous,  ex- 
tracted the  ball  with  little  difficulty,  and  left  the 
patient  doing  well. 

The  attack  on  Fairview  and  the  disappearance  of 
its  owner  caused  considerable  excitement  in  the 
neighborhood;  there  was  a  good  deal  of  speculation 
as  to  what  had  become  of  him:  some  thought  it 
probable  that  he  had  hidden  in  the  woods  and  died 
there  of  his  wounds;  others  that  he  had  gone  North 
to  stay  until  the  reign  of  terror  should  be  over. 

No  one,  perhaps,  suspected  the  truth,  yet  the 


180  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

wrath  of  the  Ku  Kiux  was  excited  against  the  Tra- 
villas,  and  the  Dinsmores  of  the  Oaks,  by  the  kind- 
ness they  showed  to  Leland's  wife  and  children; 
and  threatening  notices  were  sent  ordering  them 
to  desist  from  giving  aid  and  comfort  to  "  the  car- 
pet-bagger's family." 

They,  however,  paid  no  heed  to  the  insolent  de- 
mand, but  exerted  themselves  to  discover  who  were 
the  men  wounded  in  the  raid;  for  that  more  than 
one  had  been  hurt  was  evidenced  by  the  bloody 
tracks  in  and  around  the  house  at  Fairview. 

In  this  they  were  not  successful;  doubtless  be- 
cause the  men  were  from  a  distance,  it  being  the 
custom  for  the  organization  so  to  arrange  matters 
that  thus  they  might  the  more  readily  escape  recog- 
nition. 

The  Ion  children  were  at  play  in  the  front  ver- 
anda one  morning  shortly  after  breakfast  when  a 
strange  gentleman  came  riding  leisurely  up  the 
avenue. 

Harold  was  the  first  to  notice  his  approach. 
"  Mammy,  mammy!  see  who's  tumin!  dat  one  de 
KLuxes  ?  "  he  asked,  running  in  affright  to  Aunt 
Chloe,  who  sat  in  their  midst  with  the  babe  on  her 
lap. 

"Spect  not,  honey;  don't  be  'fraid,"  she  said 
soothingly,  putting  her  arm  about  the  little  trem- 
bler. 

The  little  girls  were  dressing  their  dolls,  Eddie 
and  Bruno  racing  back  and  forth,  in  and  out,  having 


ELSIE' 8  MOTHERHOOD.  181 

a  grand  romp;  but  at  Harold's  question  Eddie  sud- 
denly stood  still,  with  an  imperative,  "  Down, 
Bruno!  down,  sir!  be  quiet  now!  "  and  turned  to  look 
at  the  stranger. 

The  gentleman,  now  close  at  hand,  reined  in  his 
horse,  lifted  his  hat,  and  with  a  winning  smile  said: 
"  Good-morning,  my  little  lads  and  lasses.  Is  your 
mother  in?" 

"No,  sir,  she  and  papa  have  gone  out  riding," 
replied  Eddie,  returning  the  bow  and  smile. 

Elsie  laid  aside  her  doll  and,  stepping  forward, 
said  with  a  graceful  little  courtesy,  "  Good-morning, 
sir!  will  you  dismount  and  come  in?  Papa  and 
mamma  will  probably  be  here  in  a  few  minutes." 

"Ah  ha!  um  h'm;  ah  ha!  Yes,  my  little  lady, 
I  will  do  so,  thank  you,"  returned  the  gentleman, 
giving  his  horse  into  the  care  of  a  servant  sum- 
moned by  Eddie. 

"Will  you  walk  into  the  drawing-room,  sir?" 
Elsie  asked. 

"No,  thank  you,"  he  replied,  seating  himself 
among  them  and  sending  a  glance  of  keen  interest 
from  one  to  another. 

One  look  into  the  pleasant,  genial  face  banished 
Harold's  fears,  and  when  the  stranger  held  out  his 
hand,  saying,  "I  am  your  mamma's  cousin,  won't 
you  come  and  sit  on  my  knee?"  the  child  went  to 
him  at  once,  and  the  others  gathered  eagerly  about. 

"  Mamma's  cousin!  then  she  will  be  very  glad  to 
see  you,"  said  Elsie. 


182  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"But  she  never  told  us  about  you,"  observed 
Eddie. 

"  Ah  ha,  ah  ha!  um  h'm!  ah  ha!  But  did  she  ever 
tell  you  about  any  of  her  mother's  kin?  * 

"  No,  sir,"  said  Elsie;  "  I  asked  her  once,  and  she 
said  she  didn't  know  anything  about  them;  she 
wished  she  did." 

"Ah  ha!  ah  ha,  um  h'm!  ah  ha!  Well,  she  soon 
will.  Child,  you  look  very  like  a  picture  of  your 
great-grandmother  that  hangs  in  my  house  in  Edin- 
burgh. A  bonny  lassie  she  must  have  been  when  it 
was  taken." 

"  Yes,  sir;  and  she's  the  picture  of  mamma,  M  re- 
marked Eddie;  "  everybody  says  so." 

"Ah  ha,  ah  ha!  um  h'm,  ah  ha!" 

"Has  you  dot  any  'ittle  boys  and  dirls  at  your 
house?  "  asked  Harold. 

"Yes,  my  man,  a  quiver  full  of  them." 

"Are  they  good?  do  they  love  Jesus?"  asked  Vi. 
"Please  tell  us  about  them." 

"  If  you  like  to,  sir,"  said  Elsie,  with  a  sweet  and 
gentle  gravity.  "Vi,  dear,  you  know  we  mustn't 
tease." 

"  No,  I  didn't  mean  to  tease,"  Vi  answered,  blush- 
ing. "  Please  excuse  me,  sir,  and  don't  tell  it  'less 
you  want  to." 

"No,  no;  it  will  give  me  pleasure,  my  dear.  I 
enjoy  talking  of  my  darlings;  especially  now  when 
they  are  so  far  away." 

He  seemed  about  to  begin,  when  Elsie,  blushing 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  183 

deeply,  said,  "Excuse  me,  sir,  I  have  been  very 
remiss  in  my  hospitalities.  It  is  early,  and  perhaps 
you  have  not  breakfasted." 

"  Yes,  thank  you,  my  dear;  I  took  breakfast  at 
the  village  hotel,  where  I  arrived  last  night." 

"  But  you  will  take  a  cup  of  coffee  and  some 
fruit » 

Her  sentence  was  broken  off;  for  at  that  instant 
a  lady  and  gentleman  came  galloping  up  the  avenue, 
and  the  little  ones  hailed  them  with  a  joyous  shout, 
*  Papa  and  mamma!  " 

Another  moment  and  Mr.  Travilla  had  dis- 
mounted, gallantly  assisted  his  wife  to  do  the  same, 
and  together  they  stepped  into  the  veranda.  Both 
bowed  politely  to  the  stranger,  and  the  children 
running  to  them  cried,  "Mamma,  mamma,  it  is 
your  cousin  from  Scotland." 

She  turned  inquiringly  to  him,  a  flush  of  pleas- 
ure on  her  face.  ■ 

He  had  risen  from  his  seat,  and  was  coming  to- 
ward her  with  outstretched  hand  and  earnest,  ad- 
miring gaze.  "My  name  is  Ronald  Lilburn;  your 
maternal  grandmother  and  mine  were  sisters,"  he 
said;  "  your  grandmothers  marriage  was  displeasing 
to  her  father,  and  all  intercourse  between  her  and 
the  rest  of  the  family  was  broken  off  in  obedience 
to  his  stern  command;  and  thus  they  lost  sight  of 
each  other.    I  have  brought  proofs  of " 

But  Elsie's  hand  was  already  laid  in  his,  while 
glad  tears  sprang  to  her  eyes. 


184  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  You  shall  show  us  them  at  another  time  if  you 
will;  but  I  could  never  doubt  such  a  face  as  yours, 
and  cannot  tell  you  how  glad  I  am  to  have  at  last 
found  a  relative  on  my  mother's  side  of  the  house. 
Cousin,  you  are  welcome,  welcome  to  Ion! "  And 
she  turned  to  her  husband. 

"  Yes/'  he  said,  offering  his  hand  with  the  great- 
est cordiality,  "  welcome,  indeed,  and  not  more  so 
to  my  little  wife  than  to  myself." 

"  Thanks  to  you  both,"  he  said,  with  a  bow  and 
smile.  "  Cousin,"  with  an  earnest  look  at  his  host- 
ess, "you  are  very  like  a  picture  I  have  of  your 
grandmother.  But,"  with  a  glance  at  the  wide-eyed 
little  ones,  looking  on  and  listening  in  wonder  and 
surprise,  "  can  it  be  that  you  are  the  mother  of  all 
these?  yourself  scarce  more  than  a  bairn  in  appear- 
ance." 

Elsie  laughed  lightly.  "  Ah,  cousin,  you  have  not 
examined  me  closely  yet.  I  have  not  been  a  bairn 
for  many  years.  How  glad  papa  will  be,  Edward,  to 
see  a  relative  of  my  mother's! " 

"  No  doubt  of  it,  wife,  and  we  must  send  him  word 
immediately." 

Mr.  Lilburn  had  no  reason  to  complain  of  his 
reception;  he  was  treated  with  the  utmost  hos- 
pitality, and  his  coming  made  the  occasion  of  gen- 
eral rejoicing  in  the  household.  Refreshments  were 
promptly  set  before  him,  a  handsome  suite  of 
apartments  appropriated  to  his  use,  and  a  man- 
servant  directed  to  attend  upon  his  person. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  185 

A  note  was  sent  to  the  Oaks  inviting  the  whole 
family  to  Ion;  the  children  were  given  a  holiday, 
and  Elsie,  her  husband,  and  father,  spent  the  morn- 
ing in  conversation  with  their  guest,  and  in  exam- 
ining family  records,  miniatures,  and  photographs 
which  he  had  brought  with  him. 

The  day  passed  most  agreeably  to  all;  the  new 
found  relatives  were  mutually  pleased  and  inter- 
ested in  each  other. 

Mr.  Lilburn  was  evidently  a  gentleman  of  in- 
telligence, polish,  and  refinement;  seemed  to  be  an 
earnest  Christian,  too,  and  in  easy  circumstances. 

The  little  folks  made  friends  with  him  at  once, 
and  as  children  are  apt  to  be  quick  at  reading 
character,  the  older  ones  felt  this  to  be  a  confirma- 
tion of  the  good  opinion  he  had  already  won  from 
them. 


CHAPTEE   XVI. 

I  know  that  there  are  angry  spirits 
And  turbulent  mutterers  of  stifled  treason, 
Who  lurk  in  narrow  places,  and  walk  out 
Muffled  to  whisper  curses  to  the  night. 
Disbanded  soldiers,  discontented  ruffians 
And  desperate  libertines  who  lurk  in  taverns- 

— Byron. 

A  bkight,  warm  day,  some  hours  after  sunrise* 
A  man  of  rather  gentlemanly  appearance,  well, 
though  not  handsomely,  dressed,  is  riding  leisurely 
along  the  public  highway.  He  wears  a  broad- 
brimmed  straw  hat  as  a  protection  from  the  sun, 
and  a  linen  duster  somewhat  soiled  by  the  dust  of 
travel.  He  has  a  shrewd,  though  not  unkindly  face, 
and  a  keen  grey  eye,  whose  quick  glances  seem  to 
take  in  everything  within  its  range  of  vision. 

It  is  a  lonely  bit  of  road  he  is  travelling,  and  he 
moves  with  caution,  evidently  on  the  alert  for  any 
appearance  of  danger. 

Presently  he  perceives  another  solitary  horseman 
approaching  from  the  opposite  direction,  and  at  the 
sight  lays  his  hand  on  the  pistols  in  his  belt  con- 
cealed by  the  duster,  to  make  sure  that  they  are 
ready  for  instant  use;  but  at  the  same  time  keeping 
steadily  on  his  way. 

186 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  187 

The  newcomer  is  a  slender  boy  of  eighteen  or 
twenty,  not  at  all  dangerous-looking. 

As  the  two  near  each  other  each  lifts  his  hat 
with  a  courteous,  "  Good-morning,  sir! "  the  lad  at 
the  same  time  carelessly  sliding  his  right  hand  down 
the  left  lapel  of  his  coat. 

The  movement,  slight  as  it  was,  had  not  escaped 
the  watchful  grey  eyes,  and  instantly  their  owner 
replied  by  sliding  his  left  hand  in  the  same  manner 
down  the  right  lapel  of  his  coat. 

The  lad  then  ran  his  fingers  lightly  through  his 
hair;  the  other  imitated  his  action;  the  lad  opened 
his  coat  and  seemed  to  be  searching  for  a  pin;  the 
man  opened  his,  took  out  a  pin,  and  handed  it  to 
him  with  a  polite  bow. 

"  Thanks!  all  right,  sir;  I  perceive  you  are  one 
of  us,"  said  the  boy,  drawing  a  paper  from  his 
pocket  and  presenting  it  to  the  man.  "Miller's 
Woods! "  and  touching  his  hat  he  galloped  away. 

There  was  a  twinkle  in  the  grey  eyes  as  they  shot 
one  swift  glance  after  him;  then  the  paper  was 
opened  and  examined  with  minute  care. 

On  it  was  a  half  moon,  with  several  dates  written 
in  different  places  about  it,  and  that  was  all;  yet  its 
new  possessor  regarded  it  with  great  satisfaction, 
and  after  a  careful  scrutiny,  bestowed  it  safely  in 
his  breast  pocket. 

"I'll  be  on  hand  without  fail,"  he  said,  in  alow, 
confidential  tone,  perhaps  addressing  his  horse,  as 
there  was  no  one  else  within  hearing.    "  To-night! 


i88  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

they're  late  serving  my  notice;  but  better  late  than 
never;  for  me,  though  perhaps  not  for  themselves/' 
he  added,  with  a  grim  smile.  "Well,  my  prepara- 
tions won't  take  long:  dress-suit's  all  ready." 

He  kept  on  his  way  at  the  old  leisurely  pace, 
presently  came  in  sight  of  Fairview,  passed  it,  then 
Ion,  diligently  using  his  eyes  as  he  went,  made  a 
circuit  of  several  miles,  and  returned  to  the  town 
which  he  had  left  some  hours  previously. 

Dismounting  at  the  village  tavern  he  gave  his 
horse  into  the  care  of  the  hostler,  and  joined  a 
group  of  idlers  about  the  barroom  door.  They  were 
talking  politics,  and  one  appealed  to  him  for  his 
opinion. 

"  Don't  ask  me,"  he  said,  with  a  deprecatory  ges- 
ture! "I'm  no  party  man,  and  never  meddle  with 
politics." 

"  On  the  fence,  hey?  Just  the  place  for  a  coward 
and  a  sneak,"  returned  his  interlocutor  contemptu- 
ously. 

The  other  half  drew  his  bowie  knife,  then  thrust- 
ing it  back  again  said  good-humoredly,  "I'll  let 
that  pass,  Green;  you've  taken  a  drop  too  much  and 
are  not  quite  compos  mentis  just  now." 

"Be  quiet,  will  you,  Green?"  spoke  up  one  of 
his  companions;  "  you  know  well  enough  Snell's  no 
coward.  Why,  didn't  he  risk  his  life  the  other  day 
to  save  your  boy  from  drowning?  " 

"Yes;  I'd  forgot.  I  take  that  back,  Snell.  Will 
you  have  a  glass?" 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  189 

"  Thank  you,  no,  it's  too  hot,  and  your  wife  and 
babies  need  the  money,  Green." 

The  words  were  half  drowned  in  the  clang  of  the 
dinner  bell,  and  the  group  scattered;  Snell  and 
most  of  the  others  hurrying  into  the  dining-room 
in  answer  to  the  welcome  call.  I 

After  dinner  Snell  sauntered  out  in  the  direction 
of  the  stable,  passed  with  a  seemingly  careless 
glance  in  at  the  door,  and  strolled  onward;  but  in 
that  momentary  glimpse  had  noted  the  exact  posi- 
tion of  his  horse. 

About  ten  o'clock  that  night  he  stole  quietly  out 
again,  made  his  way  unobserved  to  the  stable,  sad- 
dled and  bridled  his  steed,  all  in  the  dark,  mounted 
and  rode  away,  passing  through  the  village  streets 
at  a  very  moderate  pace,  but  breaking  into  a  round 
trot  as  soon  as  he  had  fairly  reached  the  open 
country. 

He  pressed  on  for  several  miles,  but  slackened  his 
speed  as  he  neared  the  forest  known  as  Miller's 
Woods. 

For  the  last  mile  or  more  he  had  heard,  both  in 
front  and  rear,  the  thumping  of  horses'  hoofs,  and 
occasionally  a  word  or  two  spoken  in  an  undertone, 
by  gruff  voices. 

He  was  anxious  xo  avoid  an  encounter  with  their 
owners,  and  on  reaching  the  outskirts  of  the  wood 
suddenly  left  the  road,  and  springing  to  the  ground, 
took  his  horse  by  the  bridle  and  led  him  along  for 
some  rods  under  the  trees;  then  fastening  him 


190  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

securely,  opened  a  bundle  he  had  brought  with  him, 
and  speedily  arrayed  himself  in  the  hideous  Ku 
Klux  disguise. 

He  stood  a  moment  intently  listening.  The  same 
sounds  still  came  from  the  road;  evidently  many  men 
were  travelling  it  that  night;  and  Snell  reflected 
with  grave  concern,  though  without  a  shadow  of 
fear,  that  if  seen  and  recognized  by  any  one  of  them 
his  life  would  speedily  pay  the  forfeit  of  his  temer- 
ity; for  spite  of  his  acquaintance  with  their  secret 
signs,  he  was  not  a  member  of  the  order. 

He  was,  in  fact,  a  detective  in  pursuit  of  evidence 
to  convict  the  perpetrators  of  the  outrages  which 
had  been  so  frequent  of  late  in  that  vicinity. 

Making  sure  that  his  arms  were  in  readiness  for 
instant  use,  he  hastened  on  his  way,  threading  the 
mazes  of  the  wood  with  firm,  quick,  but  light  step. 

He  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance  when  he 
came  upon  a  sentinel  who  halted  him. 

Snell  slapped  his  hands  together  twice,  quick  and 
loud. 

The  sentinel  answered  in  the  same  manner,  and 
permitted  him  to  pass;  the  same  thing  was  repeated 
twice,  and  then  a  few  steps  brought  him  into  the 
midst  of  the  assembled  Klan;  for  it  was  a  general 
meeting  of  all  the  camps  in  the  county,  which  to- 
gether composed  a  Klan. 

Snell  glided,  silently  and  unquestioned,  to  a  place 
among  the  others,  the  disguise  and  the  fact  of  his 
having  passed  the  sentinels  lulling  all  suspicion. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  igj 

Most  of  those  present  were  in  disguise,  but  some 
were  not,  and  several  of  these  the  officer  recognized 
as  men  whom  he  knew  by  name  and  by  sight,  among 
them  Green  and  George  Boyd. 

A  good  deal  of  business  was  transacted;  several 
raids  were  decided  upon,  the  victims  named,  the 
punishment  to  be  meted  out  to  each  prescribed, 
and  the  men  to  execute  each  order  appointed. 

One  member  after  another  would  mention  the 
name  of  some  individual  who  had  become  obnoxious 
to  him  personally,  or  to  the  Klan,  saying  that  he 
ought  to  be  punished;  and  the  matter  would  be  at 
once  taken  up,  and  arrangements  made  to  carry  out 
his  suggestion. 

Boyd  mentioned  the  name  of  "  Edward  Travilla, 
owner  of  Ion,"  cursing  him  bitterly  as  a  scalawag,  a 
friend  of  carpet-baggers,  and  of  the  education  of  the 
negroes. 

"Eight!  his  case  shall  receive  prompt  attention!/5 
said  the  chief. 

. "  Let  it  be  a  severe  whipping  administered  to- 
morrow night,  between  the  hours  of  twelve  and 
two,"  proposed  Green,  and  the  motion  was  put  to 
v^se  and  carried  without  a  dissenting  voice. 

"  And  let  me  have  a  hand  in  it! "  cried  Boyd 
fiercely. 

"  You  belong  to  the  neighborhood,  and  might  be 
recognized,"  objected  the  chief. 

"Fll  risk  it.  I  owe  him  a  sound  flogging,  or 
something  worse,"  returned  Boyd. 


192  ELSIE'S  MOTEtuxcHOOD. 

"We  all  do,  for  he'd  have  every  mother's  son  of 
us  sent  to  jail  or  hanged,  if  he  could,"  growled  an- 
other voice  on  Snell's  right,  while  from  a  mask  on 
the  left  there  came  in  sepulchral  tones  the  words, 
"It  had  better  be  hands  off  with  you  then,  man," 
the  speaker  pointing  significantly  to  Boyd's  maimed 
member. 

"It  shall!"  cried  he;  "but  I  flatter  myself  this 
right  hand,  mutilated  though  it  be,  can  lay  on  the 
lash  as  vigorously  as  yours,  sir." 

After  a  little  more  discussion  Boyd's  wish  was 
granted,  his  fellow  raiders  were  named,  and  pres- 
ently the  meeting  was  closed,  and  the  members 
began  to  disperse. 

Snell  thought  he  had  escaped  suspicion  thus  far, 
but  his  heart  leaped  into  his  mouth  as  a  man  whom 
he  had  heard  addressed  as  Jim  Blake  suddenly 
clapped  his  hand  on  his  shoulder,  exclaiming,  "  Ah, 
ha,  I  know  you,  old  chap! " 

"You  do?  who  am  I  then? "  queried  the  spy  in  a 
feigned,  unnatural  voice,  steady  and  cool,  spite  of 
the  terrible  danger  that  menaced  him. 

"  Who?  Hal  Williams,  no  disguise  could  hide  you 
from  me." 

Snell  drew  a  breath  of  relief.  "  Ha!  ha!  Jim,  I 
didn't  think  you  were  so  cute,"  he  returned  in  his 
feigned  voice,  and  glided  away,  presently  disappear- 
ing, as  others  were  doing,  in  the  deeper  shadows  of 
the  wood. 

He  thought  it  not  prudent  to  go  directly  to  the 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  193 

spot  where  he  had  left  his  horse,  but  reached  it  by 
a  circuitous  route,  doffing  his  disguise  and  rolling 
it  into  a  bundle  again  as  he  went. 

He  paused  a  moment  to  recover  breath  and  listen. 
All  was  darkness  and  silence;  the  conspirators  had 
left  the  vicinity. 

Satisfied  of  this,  he  led  his  horse  into  the  road, 
mounted  and  rode  back  to  the  town. 

There  every  one  seemed  to  be  asleep,  except  in  a 
drinking  saloon,  whence  came  sounds  of  drunken 
revelry,  and  the  barroom  of  the  tavern  where  he 
put  up.  A  light  was  burning  there;  but  he  avoided 
it,  attended  to  his  horse  himself,  returning  it  to  the 
precise  spot  where  he  had  found  it,  then  slipped 
stealthily  up  to  his  room,  and  without  undressing 
threw  himself  upon  the  bed  and  almost  immediately 
fell  into  a  profound  slumber. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Abate  the  edge  of  traitors,  gracious  lord, 
That  would  reduce  these  bloody  days  again, 
And  make  poor  England  weep  in  streams  of  blood. 

— Shakspere. 

The  sun  had  just  risen  above  the  tree-tops  as 
Solon  led  Beppo,  ready  saddled  and  bridled  for  his 
master's  use,  from  the  stables  to  the  front  of  the 
mansion. 

A  moment  later  Mr.  Travilla  came  out,  gave  some 
orders  to  the  servant,  and  was  about  to  mount,  when 
his  attention  was  attracted  by  the  approach  of  a 
man  on  horseback,  who  came  cantering  briskly  up 
the  avenue. 

"  Good-morning,"  he  said,  as  the  stranger  drew 
near.  "  Solon,  you  may  hitch  Beppo  and  go  to 
your  work." 

"  Good-morning,  Mr.  Travilla,  sir/'  returned  the 
horseman,  lifting  his  hat  and  bowing  respectfully, 
as  Solon  obeyed  the  order  in  regard  to  Beppo,  and 
with  a  backward  glance  of  curiosity  disappeared 
around  the  corner  of  the  building. 

"You  bring  news,  Martin?"  said  Mr.  Travilla, 
stepping  nearer  to  the  stranger  and  looking  ear- 
nestly into  his  face. 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  very  bad,  I'm  sorry  to  say,  unless/' 

194 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  195 

and  he  bent  low  over  his  saddle-bow  and  spoke  in  ail 
undertone,  "  unless  you  can  defend  yourself  against 
a  band  of  thirty-five  or  forty  ruffians." 

"  Fasten  your  horse  to  that  post  yonder  and  come> 
with  me  to  my  private  room/'  said  Travilla,  in  calm,, 
quiet  tones. 

Martin,  alias  Snell,  immediately  complied  with 
the  request,  and  as  soon  as  he  found  himself 
closeted  with  Mr.  Travilla,  proceeded  to  give  a  full 
account  of  his  last  night's  adventure. 

"  I  assure  you,  sir,"  he  concluded,  "  I  look  upon 
it  as  a  piece  of  rare  good  fortune  that  I  came  upon 
that  lad  yesterday,  and  that  he  mistook  me  for  one 
of  the  Klan;  as  otherwise  you'd  have  had  no 
warning." 

u  It  was  a  kind  providence,  Martin,"  returned  Mr.. 
Travilla,  with  grave  earnestness.  "  ■  If  God  be  for 
us  who  can  be  against  us? '" 

"  Nobody,  6ir;  and  that's  the  most  Christian  way 
of  looking  at  the  thing,  no  doubt.  But,  if  I  may 
ask,  what  will  you  do — fight  or  fly?  " 

"How  do  you  know  that  I  shall  do  either?"  Mr. 
Travilla  asked,  with  a  slight  twinkle  in  his  eye. 

"Because  you're  not  the  man  to  tamely  submit 
to  such  an  outrage." 

"  No,  as  my  wife  says,  '  I  believe  in  the  duty  and 
privilege  of  self-defence ';  and  for  her  sake  and  my 
children's,  even  more  than  my  own,  I  shall  attempt 
At.    I  am  extremely  obliged  to  you,  Martin." 

"  Not  at  all,  sir;  it  was  all  in  the  way  of  business, 


196  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

-and  in  the  interests  of  humanity,  law,  and  order. 
No,  no,  sir,  thank  you;  I'm  not  to  be  paid  for  doing 
my  duty! "  he  added,  hastily  putting  back  a  check 
which  his  host  had  filled  out  and  now  handed  him. 

"  I  think  you  may  take  it  without  scruple/'  said 
Mr.  Travilla;  "  it  is  not  a  bribe,  but  simply  a  slight 
expression  of  my  appreciation  of  an  invaluable  ser- 
vice you  have  already  rendered  me." 

"  Still  I'd  rather  not,  sir,  thank  you,"  returned 
the  detective,  rising  to  go.  "  Good-morning!  I  shall 
hope  to  hear  to-morrow  that  the  raiders  have  got 
the  worst  of  it." 

Left  alone,  Mr.  Travilla  sat  for  a  moment  in  deep 
thought;  then  hearing  Mr.  Lilburn's  voice  in  the 
hall,  stepped  out  and  exchanged  with  him  the  usual 
morning  salutations. 

"  So  you  are  not  off  yet?  "  remarked  the  guest. 

"No,  but  am  about  to  ride  over  to  the  Oaks. 
Will  you  give  me  the  pleasure  of  your  company?  " 

"  With  all  my  heart." 

Elsie  was  descending  the  stairs. 

"Wife,"  Mr.  Travilla  said,  turning  to  her, 
"your  cousin  and  I  are  going  to  ride  over  to  the 
Oaks  immediately;  you  will  go  with  us?" 

"  Yes,  thank  you,"  she  answered  brightly,  as  she 
stepped  to  the  floor;  then  catching  sight  of  her  hus- 
band's face,  and  seeing  something  unusual  there, 
"What  is  it,  Edward?"  she  asked,  gliding  swiftly 
to  his  side  and  laying  her  hand  upon  his  arm,  while 
the  soft  eyes  met  his  with  a  loving,  saxious  look. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  197 

He  could  scarce  refrain  from  touching  the  sweet 
lips  with  his  own. 

"  My  little  friend,  my  brave,  true  wif e,"  he  said, 
with  a  tender  sadness  in  his  tone,  "  I  will  conceal 
nothing  from  you;  I  have  just  learned,  through  a 
detective,  that  the  Ku  Klux  will  make  a  raid  upon 
Ion  to-night,  between  twelve  and  two;  and  my 
errand  to  the  Oaks  is  to  consult  with  your  father 
about  the  best  means  of  defence — unless  your  voice 
is  for  instant  flight  for  ourselves,  our  children,  and 
guests." 

Her  cheek  paled,  but  her  eye  did  not  quail,  and 
her  tones  were  calm  and  firm  as  she  answered,  "  It 
is  a  question  for  you  and  papa  to  decide;  I  am  ready 
for  whatever  you  think  best." 

"Bravo!"  cried  her  cousin,  who  had  listened  in 
surprise  to  Mr.  Travilla's  communication;  "  there's 
no  coward  blood  in  my  kinswoman's  veins.  She  is 
worthy  of  her  descent  from  the  old  Whigs  of  Scot- 
land, eh,  Travilla?" 

"Worthy  of  anything  and  everything  good  and 
great,"  returned  her  husband,  with  a  proud,  fond 
glance  at  the  sweet  face  and  graceful  form  by  his 
side. 

"  Ah  ha!  um  h'm!  so  I  think.  And  they  are  really 
about  to  attack  you — those  cowardly  ruffians?  Well, 
sir,  my  voice  is  for  war;  I'd  like  to  help  you  give 
them  their  deserts." 

"  It  would  seem  cowardly  to  run  away  and  leave 
our  wounded  friend  and  helpless  dependents  at  their 


198  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

mercy/'  Elsie  exclaimed,  her  eye  kindling  and  her 
cheek  flushing,  while  6he  drew  up  her  slender  figure 
to  its  full  height;  "  our  beautiful  land,  too,  given  up 
to  anarchy  and  ruin;  this  dear  sunny  South  that  I 
love  so  well/' 

Her  voice  trembled  with  the  last  words,  and  tears 
gathered  in  her  eyes. 

"Yes,  that  is  it,"  said  her  husband;  "we  must 
stay  and  battle  for  her  liberties,  and  the  rights 
guaranteed  by  her  laws  to  all  her  citizens." 

Horses  were  ordered,  Elsie  returned  to  her  apart- 
ments to  don  a  riding  habit,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
the  three  were  on  their  way  to  the  Oaks. 

The  vote  there  also  was  unanimous  in  favor  of  the 
policy  of  resistance.  Mr.  Dinsmore  and  Horace,  Jr., 
at  once  offered  their  services,  and  Arthur  Conly, 
who  happened  to  be  spending  a  few  days  at  his 
uncle's  just  at  that  time,  did  the  same. 

"  I  was  brought  up  a  secessionist,  and  my  sympa- 
thies are  still  with  the  Democratic  party,"  he  said, 
"but  these  Ku  Klux  outrages  I  cannot  tolerate; 
especially,"  he  added,  looking  at  Elsie  with  an 
affectionate  smile,  "  when  they  are  directed  against 
the  home  and  husband,  if  not  the  person,  of  my 
sweet  cousin." 

"You  are  to  me  ' a  kinsman  born,  a  clansman 
true,'  Art,"  she  said,  thanking  him  with  one  of  her 
sweetest  smiles. 

"That's  right,  old  fellow!"  cried  Horace,  clap- 
ping his  cousin  on  the  shoulder.    "  We  shall  muster 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  199 

pretty  strong;  papa,  Brother  Edward,  Mr.  Lilburn, 
you  and  I — six  able-bodied  men  within  the  fortress, 
with  plenty  of  the  best  small  arms  and  ammunition; 
all  of  us  fair  shots,  too,  some  excellent  marksmen — 
we  ought  to  do  considerable  execution  among  our 
assailants." 

"  And  God  being  on  our  side,"  said  Mr.  Lilburn 
reverently,  "we  may  have  strong  hope  of  being 
able  to  beat  them  back." 

"Yes,  'the  race  is  not  always  to  the  swift,  nor 
the  battle  to  the  strong/  "  remarked  Mr.  Dinsmore. 
" '  Some  trust  in  chariots,  and  some  in  horses: 
but  we  will  remember  the  name  of  the  Lord  our 
God.' " 

"  And  if  we  do  so  truly,  fully,  he  will  take  hold 
of  shield  and  buckler  and  stand  up  for  our  help," 
added  Mr.  Travilla. 

The  plan  of  defence  was  next  discussed,  but  not 
fully  decided  upon;  it  was  agreed  that  that  could  be 
done  most  readily  upon  the  spot,  and  that  accord- 
ingly Mr.  Dinsmore  and  the  two  young  men  should 
ride  over  to  Ion  shortly  after  breakfast,  to  view  the 
ground  and  consult  again  with  the  other  two. 

"  Why  not  return  with  us  and  breakfast  at  Ion?  " 
asked  Elsie. 

"Why  not  stay  and  breakfast  with  us?"  said 
Eose. 

"  Certainly,"  said  her  husband.  "  Take  off  your 
hat,  daughter,  and  sit  down  to  your  father's  table 
as  of  old." 


200  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"Ah,  my  little  ones!  I  know  they  are  watching 
now  for  mamma  and  wondering  at  her  long 
delay." 

"Then  I  shall  not  detain,  but  rather  speed  you 
on  your  way,"  he  said,  leading  her  out  and  assisting 
her  to  mount  her  horse. 

The  children  had  thought  mamma's  ride  a  long 
one  that  morning,  and  much  they  wondered  at 
papa's  unusual  silence  and  abstraction.  He  quite 
forgot  to  romp  with  them,  but  indeed  there  was 
scarcely  time,  as  he  did  not  come  in  from  the  fields 
till  the  breakfast  bell  had  begun  to  ring. 

Grace  had  just  been  said,  every  one  was  sitting 
silent,  quietly  waiting  to  be  helped  (the  children 
were  all  the  table,  for  "  Cousin  Eonald  "  who  had 
been  with  them  for  a  week,  was  now  considered 
quite  one  of  the  family).  Mr.  Travilla  took  up  the 
carving  knife  and  fork  with  the  intent  to  use  them 
upon  a  chicken  that  lay  in  a  dish  before  them;  but 
the  instant  he  touched  it  with  the  fork  a  loud 
squawk  made  everybody  start,  and  Harold  nearly 
tumbled  from  his  chair. 

"  Why  dey  for  dot  to  kill  it! "  he  cried  breath- 
lessly. 

"  But  its  head's  off! "  said  Eddie,  gazing  into  the 
dish  in  wide-eyed  astonishment. 

"  Ah  ha,  um  h'm!  is  that  the  way  your  American 
fowls  behave  at  table?"  asked  Cousin  Ronald 
gravely,  but  with  a  slight  twinkle  in  his  eye,  push- 
ing back  his  chair  a  little,  while  keeping  his  eyes 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  201 

steadily  fixed  upon  the  ill-mannered  bird,  as  if  fear- 
ful that  its  next  escapade  might  be  to  fly  in  his  face; 
"a  singular  breed  they  must  be." 

Elsie  and  her  husband  began  to  recover  from 
their  momentary  surprise  and  bewilderment,  and 
exchanged  laughing  glances,  while  the  latter,  turn- 
ing to  his  guest,  said,  "  Capitally  done,  cousin! 
wouldn't  have  disgraced  Signor  Blitz  himself,  or 
any  of  his  guild.  But  I  had  no  suspicion  that  ven- 
triloquism was  one  of  your  many  accomplishments. 
What  part  shall  I  help  you  to?  " 

"  The  leg,  if  you  please;  who  knows  but  I  may 
have  use  for  more  than  two  to-night?" 

A  gleam  of  intelligence  lighted  up  little  Elsie's 
face.  "Oh!  I  understand  it  now,"  she  said,  with  a 
low  silvery  laugh;  "  cousin  is  a  ventriloquist." 

"What's  that?"  asked  Yi. 

"  Oh,  I  know!  "  cried  Eddie.  "  Cousin  Ronald, 
don't  you  have  a  great  deal  of  fun  doing  it?" 

"Well,  my  boy,  perhaps  rather  more  than  I 
ought,  seeing  it's  very  apt  to  be  at  other  folks' 
expense." 

The  guest,  mamma,  and  Elsie  having  been  helped, 
it  was  now  Vi's  turn  to  claim  papa's  attention. 

"What  shall  I  send  you,  daughter?"  he  asked. 

"  Oh,  nothing,  papa,  please!  no,  no!  I  can't  eat 
live  things,"  she  said  half  shuddering. 

"It  is  not  alive,  my  child." 

Violet  looked  utterly  bewildered:  she  had  never 
known  her  father  to    say  anything  that  was  not 


202  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

perfectly  true,  yet  how  could  she  disbelieve  the  evi- 
dence of  her  own  senses? 

"Papa,  could  it  hollow  so  loud  when  it  was 
dead?  "  she  asked  deprecatingly. 

"It  did  not,  my  little  darling;  'twas  1"  said 
Cousin  Konald,  preventing  papa's  reply,  "  the 
chick  seemed  to  make  the  noise,  but  it  was  really 
I  who  did  it." 

Papa  and  mamma  both  confirmed  this  statement, 
and  the  puzzled  child  consented  to  partake  of  the 
mysterious  fowl. 

Minna,  standing  with  her  basket  of  keys  at  the 
back  of  her  mistress'  chair,  Tom  and  Prilla,  waiting 
on  the  table,  had  been  as  much  startled  and  mysti- 
fied by  the  chicken's  sudden  outcry  as  Yi  herself, 
and  seized  with  superstitious  fears,  turned  almost 
pale  with  terror. 

Mr.  Lilburn's  assertion  and  the  concurrent  assur- 
ance of  their  master  and  mistress  relieved  their 
fright;  but  they  were  still  full  of  astonishment,  and 
gazed  at  the  guest  with  wonder  and  awe. 

Of  course  the  story  was  told  in  the  kitchen,  and, 
created  much  curiosity  and  excitement  there. 

This  excitement  was,  however,  soon  lost  in  a 
greater,  when  the  news  of  the  expected  attack  from 
the  Ku  Klux  circulated  among  them  an  hour  or  two 
later. 

It  could  not  be  kept  from  the  children,  but  they 
were  calmed  and  soothed  by  mamma's  assurance, 
"  God  will  take  care  of  us,  my  darlings,  and  help 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  203 

papa,  grandpa,  and  the  rest  to  drive  the  bad  men 
away." 

"Mamma/'  said  Vi,  "we  little  ones  can't  fight, 
but  if  we  pray  a  good  deal  to  God,  will  that  help?  " 

"  Yes,  daughter,  for  the  Bible  tells  us  God  is  the 
hearer  and  answerer  of  prayer." 

Elsie  herself  seemed  entirely  free  from  agitation 
and  alarm;  full  of  hope  and  courage,  she  inspired 
those  about  her  with  the  same  feelings;  the  domestic 
machinery  moved  on  in  its  usual  quiet,  regular 
fashion. 

The  kitchen  department,  it  is  true,  was  the  scene 
of  much  earnest  talk,  but  the  words  were  spoken 
with  bated  breath  and  many  an  anxious  glance  from 
door  and  window,  as  if  the  speakers  feared  the 
vicinity  of  some  lurking  foe. 

Aunt  Dicey  was  overseeing  the  making  of  a  huge 
kettle  of  soft  soap. 

"  'Pears  like  dis  yer's  a  long  time  a-comin',"  she 
said,  giving  the  liquid  a  vigorous  stir,  then  lifting 
her  paddle  and  holding  it  over  the  kettle  to  see  if 
it  dripped  off  in  the  desired  ropy  condition;  "but 
dere,  dis  ole  sinnah  no  business  growlin'  'bout  dat; 
yah!  yah!"  and  dropping  the  paddle  she  put  her 
hands  on  her  hips,  rolled  up  her  eyes,  fcnd  fairly 
shook  with  half  suppressed  laughter. 

"What  you  larfin'  at,  Aunt  Dicey?  'pears  you's 
mighty  tickled  'bout  suffin',"  remarked  the  cook, 
looking  up  in  wonder  and  curiosity  from  the  eggs 
she  was  beating. 


204  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  What's  de  fun,  Aunt  Dicey?  "  asked  Uncle  Joe, 
who  sat  in  the  doorway  busily  engaged  in  cleaning 
a  gun. 

"Why,  don't  you  see,  darkies?  de  soap  aint  gwine 
to  come  till  'bout  de  time  de  Kluxes  round  heyah; 
den  dis  chile  gib  'em  a  berry  warm  deception,  yah! 
yah!  yah!" 

"  A  powerful  hot  one,"  observed  the  cook,  joining 
in  the  laugh;  "  but  dey  won't  min'  it;  dey's  cohered 
up,  you  know." 

"'Taint  no  diffence,"  remarked  Uncle  Joe,  "de 
gowns  an'  masks,  dey's  nuffin  but  cotton  cloth,  an' 
de  hot  soap  '11  permeate  right  tru,  an'  scald  de 
rascals'  skins! " 

"  Dat's  so;  an'  take  de  skin  off  too." 

Uncle  Joe  stopped  work  and  mused  a  moment, 
scratching  his  head  and  gazing  into  vacancy. 

"'Clar  to  goodness,  dat's  a  splendid  idea,  Aunt 
Dicey! "  he  burst  out  at  length.  "  An'  let's  hab  a 
kettle  ob  boilin'  lye  to  tote  upstairs  in  de  house, 
'bout  de  time  we  see  de  Kluxes  comin'  up  de  road; 
den  Aunt  Chloe  an'  Prilla  can  expense  it  out  ob  de 
windows;  a  dippah  full  at  a  time.  Kin  you  git  um 
ready  fo'  den?  " 

"  Dat  I  kin,"  she  replied  with  energy;  "  dis  con- 
secrated lye  don't  take  no  time  to  fix.  I'll  hab  it 
ready,  sho'  as  you  lib." 

Meanwhile  the  party  from  the  Oaks  had  arrived 
according  to  appointment,  and  with  Mr.  Travilla 
and  his  guest   were  busy  with  their  arrangements 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  205 

for  the  coming  conflict,  when  quite  unexpectedly 
old  Mr.  Dinsmore  and  Calhoun  Conly  appeared  upon 
the  scene. 

"  We  have  broken  in  upon  a  conference,  I  think," 
remarked  the  old  gentleman,  glancing  from  one  to 
another,  and  noticing  that  the  entrance  of  himself 
and  grandson  seemed  to  have  thrown  a  slight  con- 
straint over  them. 

"  Rest  assured,  sir,  that  you  are  most  welcome," 
replied  Mr.  Travilla.  "We  were  conferring  to- 
gether on  a  matter  of  importance,  but  one  which 
I  am  satisfied  need  not  be  concealed  from  you  or 
Cal.  I  have  had  certain  information  that  the  Ku 
Klux -" 

"  Stay! "  cried  Calhoun,  springing  to  his  feet,  a 
burning  flush  rising  to  his  very  hair,  "  don't,  I  beg 
of  you,  cousin,  say  another  word  in  my  presence. 
I — I  know  I'm  liable  to  be  misunderstood — a  wrong 
construction  put  upon  my  conduct,"  he  continued, 
glancing  in  an  agony  of  shame  and  entreaty  from 
one  astonished  face  to  another,  "  but  I  beg  you  will 
judge  me  leniently  and  never,  never,  doubt  my 
loyalty  to  you  all,"  and,  bowing  courteously  to  the 
company,  he  hastily  left  the  room  and,  hurrying  out 
of  the  house,  mounted  his  horse  and  galloped  swiftly 
down  the  avenue. 

For  a  moment  those  left  behind  looked  at  each 
other  in  dumb  surprise;  then  old  Mr.  Dinsmore 
broke  the  silence  by  a  muttered  exclamation,  "  Has 
the  boy  gone  daft?" 


206  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  I  think  I  understand  it,  sir/'  said  his  son.  "Poor 
Cal  has  been  deceived  and  cajoled  into  joining  that 
organization,  under  a  misapprehension  of  its  deeds 
and  aims,  but  having  learned  how  base,  cruel,  and 
insurrectionary  they  are,  has  ceased  to  act  with 
them — or  rather  never  has  acted  with  them — yet 
is  bound  by  oath  to  keep  their  secrets  and  do  noth- 
ing against  them/' 

"Would  be  perilling  his  life  by  taking  part 
against  them,"  added  Mr.  Travilla.  "I  think  he 
has  done  the  very  best  he  could,  under  the  circum- 
stances." 

He  then  went  on  with  his  communication  to  the 
old  gentleman,  who  received  it  with  a  storm  of 
wrath  and  indignation. 

"It  is  time,  indeed,  to  put  them  down  when  it 
has  come  to  this! "  he  exclaimed.  "  The  idea  of 
their  daring  to  attack  a  man  of  your  standing,  an 
old  family  like  this — of  the  best  blood  in  the  coun- 
try! I  say  it's  downright  insolence,  and  I'll  come 
over  myself  and  help  chastise  them  for  their 
temerity." 

"Then  you  counsel  resistance,  sir?"  asked  his  son. 

"  Counsel  it?  of  course  I  do!  nobody  but  a  coward 
and  poltroon  would  think  of  anything  else.  But 
what  are  your  plans,  Travilla?" 

"  To  barricade  the  verandas  with  bags  of  sand  and 
bales  of  cotton,  leaving  loopholes  here  and  there, 
post  ourselves  behind  these  defences,  and  do  what 
execution  we  can  upon  the  assailants." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  207 

"Good!    Who's  your  captain? " 

"Your  son,  sir." 

"  Very  good;  he  has  had  little  or  no  experience  in 
actual  warfare,  but  I  think  his  maiden  effort  will 
prove  a  success." 

"  If  on  seeing  our  preparations  they  depart  peace- 
ably, well  and  good,"  remarked  Travilla.  "  But  if 
they  insist  on  forcing  an  entrance,  we  shall  feel  no 
scruples  about  firing  upon  them." 

"  Humph!  I  should  think  not,  indeed! "  grunted 
the  old  gentleman.  '  Self-defence  is  the  first  law  of 
nature.' " 

"And  we  are  told  by  our  Lord,  'all  they  that 
take  the  sword,  shall  perish  with  the  sword,' "  ob- 
served his  son. 

The  arrangements  completed,  the  Dinsmores  re- 
turned to  their  homes  for  the  rest  of  the  day. 

About  dusk  the  work  of  barricading  was  begun, 
all  the  able-bodied  men  on  the  plantation,  both 
house-servants  and  field-hands,  being  set  to  work  at 
it.  The  materials  had  been  brought  up  to  the  near 
vicinity  of  the  house  during  the  day.  The  men's 
hearts  were  in  the  undertaking  (not  one  of  them  but 
would  have  risked  his  own  life  freely  in  defence  of 
their  loved  master  and  mistress),  and  many  hands 
made  light  and  speedy  work. 

While  this  was  in  progress  old  Mr.  Dinsmore  and 
the  whole  family  from  the  Oaks  arrived,  Eose  and 
her  daughter  preferring  to  be  there  rather  than 
left  at  home  without  their  natural  protectors. 


208  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Elsie  welcomed  them  joyfully,  and  at  once  en- 
gaged their  assistance  in  loading  for  the  gentlemen. 

The  little  ones  were  already  in  bed  and  sleeping 
sweetly,  secure  in  the  love  and  protecting  care  of 
their  earthly  and  their  heavenly  Father.  Little 
Elsie,  now  ten  years  old,  was  no  longer  required  to 
retire  quite  so  early,  but  when  her  regular  hour 
came  she  went  without  a  murmur. 

She  was  quite  ready  for  bed,  had  just  risen  from 
her  knees,  when  her  mother  came  softly  in  and 
clasped  her  in  a  tender  embrace. 

"Mamma,  dear,  dear  mamma,  how  I  love  you! 
and  papa  too ! "  whispered  the  child,  twining  her 
arms  about  her  mother's  neck.  "Don't  let  us  be 
afraid  of  those  wicked  men,  mamma.  I  am  sure 
God  will  not  let  them  get  papa,  because  we  have 
all  prayed  so  much  for  his  help;  all  of  us  together  in 
worship  this  morning  and  this  evening,  and  we  chil- 
dren up  here;  and  Jesus  said,  'If  two  of  you  shall 
agree  on  earth,  as  touching  anything  that  they  shall 
ask,  it  shall  be  done  for  them  of  my  Father  which 
is  in  heaven.' " 

"  Yes,  darling,  and  he  will  fulfil  his  word;  he  will 
not  suffer  anything  to  befall  but  what  shall  be  for 
his  glory  and  our  good.  Now,  dear  daughter,  lie 
down  and  take  that  promise  for  a  pillow  to  sleep 
upon;  and  if  waked  by  sounds  of  conflict,  lift  up 
your  heart  to  God  for  your  dear  father,  and  mine, 
and  all  of  us." 

"  I  will,  mamma,  I  will." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  209 

Leaving  a  loving  kiss  on  the  sweet  young  lips, 
and  another  on  the  brow  of  her  sleeping  Violet,  the 
mother  glided  noiselessly  from  the  room. 

"  What  is  it,  mammy?  "  she  asked  on  finding  her 
faithful  old  nurse  waiting  to  speak  with  her  in  the 
outer  room. 

"Miss  Elsie,  honey,  is  you  willin'  to  let  us 
scald  dem  Kluxes  wid  boilin'  soap  an'  lye  ?  " 

"  Scald  them,  mammy  ?  "  she  exclaimed  with  a 
slight  shudder.  "  I  can  hardly  bear  the  thought  of 
treating  a  dog  so  cruelly! " 

"  But  dey's  worse  dan  dogs,  Miss  Elsie;  dogs  neber 
come  and  detack  folks  dat's  sleepin'  quietly  in  dere 
beds;  does  dey  now?  " 

"No;  and  these  men  would  take  my  husband's 
life.  You  may  all  fight  them  with  any  weapon  you 
can  lay  hands  on." 

Aunt  Chloe  returned  her  thanks,  and  proceeded 
to  give  an  account  of  the  plan  concocted  by  Aunt 
Dicey  and  Uncle  Joe. 

Elsie,  returning  to  the  dining-room,  repeated  it 
there. 

" Excellent!"  exclaimed  her  brother.  "Come, 
Art,  let's  hang  a  bell  in  the  kitchen  and  attach  a 
string  to  it,  taking  the  other  end  up  to  the  observa- 
tory." 

The  suggestion  was  immediately  carried  out.  It 
had  been  previously  arranged  that  the  two  young 
men  should  repair  to  the  observatory  and  there 
watch  for  the  coming  of  the  foe,  and  on  their  first 


210  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

appearance,  probably  a  mile  or  more  distant,  give 
the  alarm  to  those  below  by  pulling  a  wire  attached 
to  that  from  which  the  front  door  bell  was  sus- 
pended, thus  setting  it  to  ringing  loudly.  Now  they 
were  prepared  to  sound  the  tocsin  in  the  kitchen, 
also,  thus  giving  time  for  the  removal  of  the  boiling 
lye  from  the  fire  there  to  the  second  story  of  the 
mansion,  where  it  was  to  be  used  according  to  Uncle 
Joe's  plans. 

The  detective  had  reported  the  assailing  party  as 
numbering  from  thirty-five  to  forty;  but  the  Ion 
force,  though  much  inferior  in  point  of  numbers, 
even  with  the  addition  of  eight  or  ten  negro  men 
belonging  to  the  Oaks  and  Ion,  who  were  tolerably 
proficient  in  the  use  of  firearms,  certainly  had  the 
advantage  of  position  and  of  being  on  the  side  of 
right  and  justice. 

The  gentlemen  seemed  full  of  a  cheerful  courage, 
the  ladies  calm  and  hopeful.  Yet  they  refused  to 
retire,  though  strongly  urged  to  do  so,  insisting  that 
to  sleep  would  be  simply  impossible. 

It  was  but  ten  o'clock  when  all  was  ready,  yet  the 
young  men  deemed  it  most  prudent  to  betake  them- 
selves at  once  to  their  outlook,  since  there  might 
possibly  have  been  some  change  in  the  plans  of  the 
enemy. 

The  others  gathered  in  one  of  the  lower  rooms  to 
while  way  the  tedious  time  of  waiting  as  best  they 
could.  Conversation  flagged;  they  tried  music,  but 
it  had  lost  its  charm  for  the  time  being;  they  turned 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  211 

away  from  the  piano  and  harp  and  sank  into  silence; 
the  house  seemed  strangely  silent,  and  the  pattering 
of  Bruno's  feet,  as  he  passed  slowly  down  the  whole 
length  of  the  corridor  without,  came  to  their  ears 
with  almost  startling  distinctness. 

Then  he  appeared  in  the  doorway,  where  he  stood 
turning  his  eyes  from  one  to  another  with  a  wistful, 
questioning  gaze:  then  words  seemed  to  come  from 
his  lips  in  tones  of  wonder  and  inquiry. 

"What  are  you  all  doing  here  at  this  time  o' 
night,  when  honest  folk  should  be  a-bed?" 

"  Just  what  I've  been  asking  myself  for  the  last 
hour,"  gravely  remarked  a  statue  in  a  niche  in  the 
opposite  wall. 

The  effect  was  startling,  even  to  those  who  under- 
stood the  thing;  more  so  to  the  others.  Rosie 
screamed  and  ran  to  her  father  for  protection. 

'Why,  why,  why!"  cried  old  Mr.  Dinsmore,  in 
momentary  perplexity  and  astonishment. 

"Don't  be  afraid,  Miss  Rosie;  I'm  a  faithful 
friend,  and  the  woman  over  there  couldn't  hurt  you, 
if  she  would,"  said  Bruno,  going  up  to  the  young 
girl,  wagging  his  tail  and  touching  his  cold  nose  to 
her  hand. 

She  drew  it  away  with  another  scream. 

"  Dear  child,"  said  her  sister,  "  it  is  only  a  trick 
of  ventriloquism." 

"  Meant  to  amuse,  not  alarm,"  added  Mr.  Lil- 
burn. 

Eosie,  nestling  in  her  father's  arms,  drew  a  long 


212  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

breath  of  relief,  and  half  laughing,  half  crying, 
looked  up  saucily  into  Mr.  Lilburn's  face. 

"And  it  was  you,  sir?  oh,  how  you  scared 
me! " 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  my  bonnie  lassie,"  he  said, 
"  I  thought  to  relieve,  somewhat,  the  tediousness  of 
the  hour." 

"For  which  accept  our  thanks,"  said  Mr.  Dins- 
more.  "  But  I  perceive  it  is  not  the  first  time  that 
Travilla  and  Elsie  have  been  witnesses  of  your 
skill." 

"  No,"  said  Elsie,  laughing.  "  My  dear,  you  are 
good  at  a  story,  tell  them  what  happened  at  break- 
fast this  morning." 

Mr.  Travilla  complied  with  the  request.  He  was 
an  excellent  story-teller,  and  made  his  narrative 
very  entertaining. 

But  in  the  midst  of  their  mirth  a  sudden  awe- 
struck silence  fell  upon  them.  There  was  a  sound 
as  of  the  rattling  of  stiffly  starched  robes;  then  a 
gruff  voice  from  the  hall  exclaimed,  "Here  he  is, 
the  old  scalawag!  Dinsmore  too.  Now  take  good 
aim,  Bill,  and  let's  make  sure  work." 

Kosie  was  near  screaming  again,  but  catching 
sight  of  Mr.  Lilburn's  face,  laughed  instead;  a  little 
hysterical  nervous  laugh. 

"  Oh,  it's  you  again,  sir!  "  she  cried.  "  Please 
don't  frighten  me  any  more." 

"  Ah,  no,  I  will  not,"  he  said,  and  at  that  moment 
a  toy  man  and  woman  on  the  table  began  a  vastly 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  213 

amusing  conversation  about  their  own  private 
affairs. 

In  the  kitchen  and  the  domiciles  of  the  house- 
servants  there  was  the  same  waiting  and  watching; 
old  and  young,  all  up  and  wide  awake,  gathered  in 
groups  and  talked  in  undertones  of  the  doings  of 
the  Ku  Klux,  and  of  the  reception  they  hoped  to 
give  them  that  night.  Aunt  Dicey,  glorying  in  the 
prospect  of  doing  good  service  in  the  defence  of 
"her  family,"  as  she  proudly  termed  her  master, 
mistress,  and  the  children,  kept  her  kettles  of  soap 
and  lye  at  boiling  heat,  and  two  stalwart  fellows 
close  at  hand  to  obey  her  orders. 

Aunt  Chloe  and  Dinah  were  not  with  the  others, 
but  in  the  nursery  watching  over  the  slumbers  of 
"de  chillens."  Uncle  Joe  was  with  Mr.  Leland, 
who  was  not  yet  able  to  use  the  wounded  limb,  and 
was  to  be  assisted  to  his  hiding-place  upon  the  first 
note  of  alarm. 

In  the  observatory  the  two  young  men  kept  a 
vigilant  eye  upon  every  avenue  of  approach  to  the 
plantation.  There  was  no  moon  that  night,  but  the 
clear,  bright  starlight  made  it  possible  to  discern 
moving  white  objects  at  a  considerable  distance. 
Horace  was  full  of  excitement,  and  almost  eager 
for  the  affray,  Arthur  calm  and  quiet. 

"  This  waiting  is  intolerable ! "  exclaimed  the 
former,  when  they  had  been  nearly  an  hour  at  their 
post.    "  How  do  you  stand  it,  Art?  " 

"  I  find  it  tedious,  and  there  is  in  all  probability 


214  ELS1WS  MOTHERHOOD. 

at  least  an  hour  of  it  yet  before  us.  But  my  im- 
patience is  quelled  by  the  thought  that  it  may  be 
to  me  the  last  hour  of  life." 

"  True;  and  to  me  also.  A  solemn  thought,  Art, 
and  yet  might  not  the  same  be  said  of  any  day  or 
hour  of  our  lives?" 

From  that  they  fell  into  a  very  serious  conversa- 
tion, in  which  each  learned  more  of  the  other's 
inner  life  than  he  had  ever  known  before;  both  were 
trusting  in  Christ,  and  seeking  to  know  and  do  his 
will,  and  from  that  hour  their  hearts  were  knit  to- 
gether as  the  hearts  of  David  and  Jonathan. 

Gradually  their  talk  ceased,  till  but  a  word  or  two 
was  dropped  now  and  then,  while  the  vigilance  of 
their  watch  was  redoubled;  for  the  hour  of  mid- 
night had  struck — the  silver  chimes  of  a  clock  in 
the  hall  below  coming  distinctly  to  their  ears — and 
any  moment  might  bring  the  raiders  into  view. 

Below  stairs,  too,  a  solemn  hush  had  fallen  upon 
each  with  the  first  stroke  of  the  clock,  and  hearts 
were  going  up  in  silent  prayer  to  God. 

Horace  was  gazing  intently  in  the  direction  of 
Fairview,  but  at  a  point  somewhat  beyond. 

"Look,  Art!"  he  cried,  in  an  excited  whisper, 
"  do  my  eyes  deceive  me,  or  are  there  really  some 
white  objects  creeping  slowly  along  yonder  road?" 

"I — I  think — yes,  yes,  it  is  they!"  returned  Ar- 
thur, giving  a  vigorous  pull  to  the  string  attached 
to  the  bell  in  the  kitchen,  while  Horace  did  the 
same  by  the  wire  connected  with  the  other;  then 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD,  215 

springing  to  the  stairway  they  descended  with  all 
haste. 

Loudly  the  alarm  pealed  out  in  both  places, 
bringing  all  to  their  feet,  and  paling  the  cheeks  of 
the  ladies. 

Mr.  Dinsmore's  orders  were  given  promptly,  in 
calm,  firm  tones,  and  each  one  repaired  to  his 
post. 

Aunt  Dicey,  assuming  command  in  the  kitchen, 
delivered  her  orders  with  equal  promptness  and 
decision. 

"  Yo',  Ben  an'  Jack,  tote  dis  yer  pot  ob  lye  up- 
stairs quick  as  lightnin',  an'  set  it  whar  Aunt  Chloe 
tells  yo'.  An'  yo',  Venus,  stan'  by  de  pot  ob  soap 
wid  a  dippah  in  yo'  hand,  an'  fire  away  at  de  fust 
KLux  dat  shows  his  debbil  horns  an'  tongue  at  de 
do'.  Min'  now,  yo'  take  um  in  de  eye,  an'  he  neber 
come  roun'  heyah  no  mo'  tryin'  to  kill  Marse 
Ed'ard." 

Mr.  Leland  had  fallen  asleep  in  the  early  part  of 
the  evening,  but  woke  with  the  ringing  of  the  alarm 
bells. 

"  Ah,  they  must  be  in  sight,  Uncle  Joe,"  he  said; 
"help  me  to  my  hiding-place  and  leave  me  there. 
You  will  be  needed  below." 

"Yes,  Massa  Leland,  dey's  comin',"  said  the  old 
man,  instantly  complying  with  his  request,  "  an'  dis 
niggah's  to  demand  de  boilin'  lye  compartment  ob 
dis  army  ob  defence." 

A  narrow  couch  had  been  spread  in  the  little  con- 


216  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

cealed  apartment,  and  in  a  trice  Mr.  Leland  found 
himself  stretched  upon  it. 

"  There,  I'm  quite  comfortable,  Uncle  Joe,"  he 
said;  "lay  my  pistols  here,  close  to  my  hand;  then 
close  the  panel  with  all  care,  and  when  you  leave 
the  room  lock  the  door  behind  you  and  hide  the 
key  in  the  usual  place." 

"  Yes,  sah;  an'  please,  sah,  as  yo's  got  nuffin'  else 
for  to  do,  keep  askin'  de  Lord  ob  armies  to  help  de 
right." 

"  That  I  will,"  answered  Leland  heartily. 

Uncle  Joe,  moving  with  an  almost  youthful 
alacrity,  obeyed  the  orders  given,  and  hastened  to 
join  his  wife  and  Dinah,  whom  he  found  on  the 
upper  veranda  in  front  of  the  nursery  windows, 
standing  ladle  in  hand,  one  by  the  kettle  of  lye,  the 
other  leaning  over  the  railing  watching  for  the 
coming  of  the  foe. 

The  old  man,  arming  himself  also  with  a  ladle  of 
large  capacity,  took  his  station  beside  the  latter. 

"  Aunt  Chloe,"  said  he,  "  yo'  bettah  go  back  to 
de  chillens,  fear  dey  might  wake  up  an'  be  powerful 
scared." 

"  Yes,  spect  I  bettah;  deir  ole  mammy  de  best  to 
be  wid  de  darlins,"  she  replied,  resigning  her  ladle 
to  Prilla,  who  joined  them  at  that  moment,  and 
hurrying  back  to  her  charge. 

She  found  her  mistress  bending  over  the  crib  of 
the  sleeping  babe.  "  I  am  so  thankful  they  were  not 
roused   by   the   noise,   mammy,"   she   said  softly, 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  217 

glancing  at  the  bed  where  the  older  two  lay  in  pro- 
found slumber;  "but  don't  leave  them  alone,  even 
for  a  moment." 

"Deed  I  won't,  darlin';  de  bressed  little  lambs! 
dere  ole  mammy'd  fight  de  Kluxes  to  her  last  breff, 
fo'  dey  should  hurt  a  hair  ob  deir  heads.  But  don't 
ye  fret,  Miss  Elsie,  honey;  dey'll  not  ccme  yere;  de 
good  Lord  '11  not  let  dem  get  into  de  house,"  she 
added,  big  tears  filling  her  old  eyes,  while  she 
clasped  her  idolized  mistress  in  her  arms  as  if  she 
were  still  the  little  girl  she  had  so  loved  to  caress 
and  fondle  years  ago. 

Elsie  returned  the  embrace,  gave  a  few  whispered 
directions,  and  glided  into  the  next  room,  there  to 
linger  a  moment  by  the  couch  of  her  little  girls,  who 
were  also  sleeping  sweetly,  then  hastened  to  rejoin 
Mrs.  Dinsmore  and  Kosie  in  one  of  the  rooms  open- 
ing upon  the  lower  front  veranda. 

They  sat  at  a  table  covered  with  arms  and  ammu- 
nition. Rose  was  a  little  pale,  but  calm  and  com- 
posed, as  was  Elsie  also;  Rosie,  making  a  great  effort 
to  be  brave,  could  not  still  the  loud  beating  of  her 
heart,  as  she  sat  listening  intently  for  sounds  from 
without.- 

Elsie,  placing  herself  beside  her  young  sister,  and 
taking  her  hand  pressed  it  tenderly,  whispering 
with  a  glad  smile,  " '  They  that  trust  in  the  Lord 
shall  be  as  Mount  Zion,  which  cannot  be  removed, 
but  abideth  forever.' " 

Rosie  nodded  a  half-tearful  assent. 


218  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Horace  looked  in.  "  They  are  just  entering  the 
avenue.  Mother  and  sisters,  be  brave  and  help  us 
with  your  prayers,"  he  said,  low  and  earnestly,  and 
was  gone. 

The  ladies  exchanged  one  swift  glance,  then  bent 
forward  in  a  listening  attitude,  and  for  the  next  few 
moments  every  other  sense  seemed  lost  in  that  of 
hearing. 

The  raiders,  as  was  their  usual  custom,  had  dis- 
mounted at  the  gate,  and  leaving  their  horses  in  the 
care  of  two  of  their  number,  approached  the  house 
on  foot.  They  came  on  three  abreast,  but  as  they 
neared  the  dwelling  one  line  branched  off  and 
passed  around  it  in  the  direction  of  the  kitchen. 

In  an  instant  more  the  double  column,  headed  by 
the  leader  of  the  troop,  had  reached  the  steps  of  the 
veranda,  where  it  came  to  a  sudden  halt,  a  sort  of 
half-smothered  grunt  of  astonishment  coming  from 
the  captain  as  he  hastily  ran  his  eye  along  the 
barricade,  which,  till  that  moment,  had  been  con- 
cealed from  himself  and  comrades  by  the  semi- 
darkness  and  a  profusion  of  flowering  vines. 

The  darkness  and  silence  of  death  seemed  to  reign 
within:  yet  each  one  of  the  little  garrison  was  at 
his  post,  looking  out  through  a  loophole,  and  cover- 
ing one  or  another  of  the  foe  with  his  revolver,  while 
with  his  finger  upon  the  trigger,  he  only  awaited  the 
word  of  command  to  send  the  bullet  to  its  mark. 

Young  Horace  found  it  hard  to  restrain  his  im- 
patience.   "  What  a  splendid  opportunity  his  father 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  219 

was  letting  slip!  why  did  he  hesitate  to  give  the 
signal? "  For  perhaps  the  first  time  in  his  life, 
the  young  man  thought  his  father  unwise. 

But  Mr.  Dinsmore  knew  what  he  was  about;  blood 
should  not  be  shed  till  the  absolute  necessity  was 
placed  beyond  question. 

A  moment  of  suspense,  of  apparent  hesitation  on 
the  part  of  the  raiders,  then  in  stentorian  tones 
the  leader,  stepping  back  a  little,  called,  "  Edward 
Travilla! » 

No  answer. 

An  instant  of  dead  silence;  then  the  call  was 
repeated. 

Elsie  shuddered  and  hid  her  face,  faltering  out 
a  prayer  for  her  husband's  safety. 

Still  no  reply,  and  the  third  time  the  man  called, 
adding,  with  a  volley  of  oaths  and  curses,  "We 
want  you,  sir:  come  out  at  once  or  it  '11  be  the  worse 
for  you." 

Then  Mr.  Dinsmore  answered  in  calm,  firm  tones: 
"  Your  purpose  is  known;  your  demand  is  unreason- 
able and  lawless,  and  will  not  be  complied  with; 
withdraw  your  men  at  once  or  it  will  be  the  worse 
for  you." 

"Boys!"  cried  the  leader,  turning  to  his  men, 
"up  with  your  axes  and  clubs,  we've  got  to  batter 
down  this  breastwork,  and  it  must  be  done!  " 

With  a  yell  of  fury  the  hideous  forms  rushed  for- 
ward to  the  attack. 

"Fire! "  rang  out  Mr.  Dinsmore's  voice  in  clarion 


220  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

tones,  and  instantly  the  crack  of  half  a  dozen  re- 
volvers was  heard,  a  light  blaze  ran  along  the  line 
of  loopholes,  and  at  the  same  instant  a  sudden, 
scalding  shower  fell  upon  the  assailants  from  above. 

Several  of  them  dropped  upon  the  ground,  and 
as  many  more  threw  away  their  clubs  and  ran 
screaming  and  swearing  down  the  avenue. 

But  the  others  rallied,  and  came  on  again, 
yelling  with  redoubled  fury,  while  simultaneously 
similar  sounds  came  from  the  sides  and  rear  of  the 
dwelling. 

The  scalding  shower  was  descending  there,  also; 
Uncle  Joe  and  his  command  were  busy,  and  bullets 
were  flying  and  doing  some  execution,  though  sent 
with  less  certain  aim  than  from  the  front. 

Aunt  Dicey,  too,  and  her  satellites  were  winning 
the  laurels  they  coveted. 

As  she  had  expected,  several  of  the  assailants 
came  thundering  at  her  door,  loudly  demanding 
admittance,  at  the  same  time  that  the  attack  was 
made  in  front. 

"Who  dar?    What  you  want?"  she  called. 

"  We  want  in;  open  the  door  instantly! " 

"No,  sah!  dis  chile  don'  do  no  sich  ting!  Dis 
Marse  Ed'ard's  kitchen,  an'  Miss  Elsie's." 

Then  in  an  undertone,  "  Now  Venus  an'  Lize,  fill 
yo'  dippahs  quick!  an'  when  dis  niggah  says  fire, 
slam  de  contentions — dat's  de  bilin'  soap,  min' — 
right  into  dar  ugly  faces. 

"An'  Sally  Ann,  yo'  creep  up  dem  stairs,  quick 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  221 

as  lightnin'  an'  hide  under  the  bed.  It's  yo'  dey's 
after;  somebody  mus'  a  tole  'em  yo'  sleeps  yere  sense 
de  night  dat  bloody  hand  ben  laid  on  yo'  shouldah." 

These  orders  were  scarcely  issued  and  obeyed 
when  the  door  fell  in  with  a  loud  crash,  and  a 
hideous  horned  head  appeared  in  the  opening;  but 
only  to  receive  three  ladles  full  of  the  boiling  soap 
full  in  its  face,  and  fall  back  with  a  terrible,  un- 
earthly yell  of  agony  and  rage  into  the  arms  of  its 
companions,  who  quickly  bore  it  shrieking  away. 

"  Tank  de  Lord,  dat  shot  tole! "  ejaculated  Aunt 
Dicey.    "  Now  stan'  ready  for  de  nex'." 

The  party  in  front  were  received  with  the  same 
galling  fire  as  before,  and  at  the  same  moment  a 
sound,  coming  apparently  from  the  road  beyond  the 
avenue,  a  sound  as  of  the  steady  tramp,  tramp  of 
infantry,  and  the  heavy  rumbling  and  rolling  of 
artillery,  smote  upon  their  ears. 

There  had  been  a  report  that  Federal  troops  were 
on  the  march  to  suppress  the  outrages  and  protect 
the  helpless  victims,  and,  seized  with  panic  terror, 
the  raiders  gathered  up  their  dead  and  wounded  and 


CHAPTEE  XVIII. 

"  Thus  far  our  fortune  keeps  an  onward  course, 
And  we  are  grac'd  with  wreaths  of  victory." 

"  Victoby!  "  shouted  Horace,  Jr.,  waving  his 
handkerchief  about  his  head,  "  victory,  and  an  end 
to  the  reign  of  terror!  Hurrah  for  the  brave  troops 
of  Uncle  Sam  that  came  so  opportunely  to  the  res- 
cue! Come,  let  us  sally  forth  to  meet  them.  Elsie, 
unlock  your  stores  and  furnish  the  refreshments 
they  have  so  well  earned." 

"  They  draw  nearer! "  cried  Arthur,  who  had  been 
listening  intently.  "Haste!  they  must  be  about 
entering  the  avenue.  They  will  meet  the  raiders. 
Travilla,  uncle,  shall  we  make  an  opening  here  in 
our  breastworks  ?  " 

"Yes,"  answered  both  in  a  breath;  then,  as  if 
struck  by  a  sudden  thought,  "  No,  no,  let  us  recon- 
noitre first!"  cried  Mr.  Dinsmore.  "Horace,  run 
up  to  the  observatory,  take  a  careful  survey,  and 
report  as  promptly  as  possible." 

Horace  bounded  away,  hardly  waiting  to  hear  the 
conclusion  of  the  sentence. 

"I  counsel  delay,"  said  old  Mr.  Dinsmore,  who 
was  peering  through  a  loophole,  "the  troops  have 
not  entered  the  avenue,  the  Ku  Klux  may  return; 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  223 

though  I  do  not  expect  it  after  the  severe  repulse 
we  have  twice  given  them;  but  '  discretion  is  the 
better  part  of  valor/" 

"  Eight,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Lilburn;  "  let  us  give  them 
no  chance  for  a  more  successful  onslaught." 

"  Oh,  yes,  do  be  careful! "  cried  the  ladies,  join- 
ing them;  "  don't  tear  down  the  least  part  of  our 
defences  yet." 

"Have  they  really  fled?  Are  you  all  unhurt?" 
asked  Eose  in  trembling  tones. 

"Edward!  papa!  "  faltered  Elsie. 

"  Safe  and  sound,"  they  both  answered. 

"  Thank  God!  thank  God! "  she  cried  as  her  hus- 
band folded  her  in  his  arms,  and  her  father  took  hei 
hand  in  his,  while  with  the  other  arm  he  embraced 
Rose0 

"We  have,  indeed,  cause  for  thankfulness,"  said 
Arthur,  returning  from  a  hurried  circuit  of  the 
verandas;  "not  one  on  our  side  has  received  a 
scratch.  But  I  have  ordered  the  men  to  remain  at 
their  posts  for  the  present." 

Horace  came  rushing  back.  "I  cannot  under- 
stand it!  I  see  no  sign  of  troops,  though " 

"The  darkness,"  suggested  his  mother. 

"Hark!  hark!  the  bugle  call;  they  are  charging 
on  the  Ku  Klux! "  exclaimed  Arthur,  as  a  silvery 
sound  came  floating  on  the  night  breeze. 

"  Oh,  they  have  come!  they  have  come! "  cried 
Eosie,  clapping  her  hands  and  dancing  up  and  down 
with  delight.    "Now   our   troubles  are  over,  and 


224  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

there  will  be  no  more  of  these  dreadful  raids.95 
And  in  the  exuberance  of  her  joy  she  embraced 
first  her  mother,  then  her  sister,  and  lastly  threw 
herself  into  her  father's  arms. 

"Ah,  I  wish  it  were  so/'  he  said,  caressing  her; 
"  but  I  begin  to  fear  that  the  sounds  we  have  heard 
with  so  much  relief  and  pleasure  were  as  unreal  as 
Bruno's  talking  awhile  ago." 

"  Oh,  was  it  you,  Mr.  Lilburn?  "  she  cried,  in  a 
tone  of  sore  disappointment. 

"  Ah,  well,  my  bonnie  lassie,  the  Ku  Klux  are 
gone  at  all  events:  let  us  be  thankful  for  that,"  he 
answered. 

"What,  what  does  it  all  mean?"  asked  the  two 
young  men  in  a  breath,  "  what  strange  deception  has 
been  practised  upon  us?  " 

"  My  cousin  is  a  ventriloquist,"  replied  Elsie, 
"and  has  done  us  good  service  in  using  his  talent 
to  help  in  driving  away  the  Ku  Klux." 

He  instantly  received  a  unanimous  vote  of 
thanks,  and  the  young  people  began  pouring  out 
eager  questions  and  remarks: 

"Another  time;  my  work  is  but  half  done!  I 
must  pursue! "  he  cried,  hastily  leaving  them  to 
seek  an  exit  from  the  house. 

Elsie  hurried  away  to  see  if  her  little  ones  still 
slept.  All  did,  but  little  Elsie,  and  she  was  full  of 
joy  and  thankfulness  that  her  dear  papa's  cruel  foes 
had  been  driven  away. 

"Ah,  mamma,  God  has  heard  our  prayers  and 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  225 

helped  us  out  of  this  great  trouble! "  she  said,  re- 
ceiving and  returning  a  tender  embrace. 

"Indeed  he  has,  daughter!  let  us  thank  him  for 
his  goodness,  and  ever  put  our  trust  in  him.  Have 
you  been  long  awake?  " 

"It  was  their  dreadful  screams  that  waked  me, 
mamma.  I  couldn't  help  crying  for  one  man;  it 
seemed  as  if  he  must  be  in  such  an  agony  of  pain. 
Uncle  Joe  says  Aunt  Dicey  and  the  others  threw 
boiling  soap  into  his  eyes  and  all  over  his  face  and 
head.    Mamma,  aren't  you  sorry  for  him?  " 

"  Yes,  indeed! "  and  the  child  felt  a  great  tear 
fall  on  her  head  resting  on  her  mother's  bosom. 
"Poor,  poor  fellow!  he  finds  the  way  of  transgress- 
ors hard,  as  the  Bible  says  it  is.  Now,  darling,  lie 
down  again  and  try  to  sleep.  I  think  the  danger  is 
all  over  for  to-night." 

Eeturning,  she  met  her  husband  in  the  hall,  "I 
have  been  to  tell  Leland  the  good  news! "  he  said; 
"  he  is  very  happy  over  it.  And  now,  dear  wife,  go 
to  bed  and  sleep,  if  you  can;  you  are  looking  very 
weary,  and  I  think  we  need  fear  no  further  dis- 
turbance. Your  grandfather,  Mrs.  Dinsmore  and 
Kosie  have  yielded  to  our  persuasions  and  have 
retired." 

"And  you  and  papa?" 

"  Can  easily  stand  the  loss  of  one  night's  sleep, 
but  may,  perhaps,  get  an  hour  or  so  of  repose  upon 
the  sofas.  But  we  will  keep  a  constant  watch  till 
sunrise.    Arthur  and  Horace  are  going  up  to  the 


226  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD, 

observatory  again,  while  the  rest  of  us  will  pace  the 
veranda  by  turns." 

Morning  found  the  Ion  mansion  wearing  much 
the  appearance  of  a  recently  besieged  fortress.  How 
many  of  the  Klan  had  lost  their  lives  it  was  im- 
possible to  tell,  but  probably  only  a  small  number, 
as  the  aim  of  the  party  of  defence  had  been,  by 
mutual  agreement,  to  disable  and  not  to  slay;  but 
it  was  thought  the  assailants  had  suffered  a  suffi- 
ciently severe  punishment  to  deter  them  from  a 
renewal  of  the  attack.  Also  Mr.  Lilburn's  pursuit, 
keeping  up  the  delusion  that  troops  were  at  hand, 
had  greatly  frightened  and  demoralized  them.  So 
the  barricades  were  presently  taken  down,  and 
gradually  the  dwelling  and  its  surroundings  re- 
sumed their  usual  aspect  of  neatness,  order,  and 
elegance. 

All  the  friends  remained  to  breakfast,  but  their 
presence  did  not  exclude  the  children  from  the 
table. 

While  the  guests  were  being  helped,  there  was  a 
momentary  silence,  broken  by  a  faint  squeal  that 
3eemed  to  come  from  under  Elsie's  plate. 

"Mousie  at  de  table!"  cried  Harold;  then  "Oh, 
me  dot  a  bird! "  as  the  notes  of  a  canary  came  from 
underneath  his  plate. 

"  Pick  up  your  plates  and  let  us  see  the  mouse 
and  the  bird,"  said  their  papa,  smiling. 

They  obeyed. 

"  Ah,  I  knew  there  was  nothing  there,"  said  Ed- 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  227 

die,  laughing  and  looking  at  Cousin  Eonald,  while 
Harold,  gazing  at  the  table-cloth  in  disappointed 
surprise,  cried,  "  Ah,  it's  gone!  it  must  have  flewed 
away." 

Calhoun  Conly,  knowing  nothing,  but  suspecting 
a  great  deal,  and  full  of  anxiety,  repaired  to  Ion 
directly  after  breakfast.  Blood-stains  on  the  ground 
without  and  within  the  gate,  and  here  and  there 
along  the  avenue  as  he  rode  up  to  the  house,  con- 
firmed his  surmise  that  his  friends  had  been  at- 
tacked by  the  Ku  Klux  the  previous  night.  He 
found  them  all  in  the  library  talking  the  matter 
over. 

"  Ah,  sir!  like  a  brave  man  and  a  true  friend,  you 
come  when  the  fight  is  over/'  was  his  grandfather's 
sarcastic  greeting. 

"  It  was  my  misfortune,  sir,  to  be  unable  in  this 
instance  to  follow  my  inclination,"  returned  the 
young  man,  coloring  to  the  very  roots  of  his  hair 
with  mortification.  "But" — glancing  around  the 
circle — "  Heaven  be  thanked  that  I  find  you  all  un- 
hurt," he  added,  with  a  sigh  that  told  that  a  great 
load  had  been  taken  from  his  heart.  "  May  I  hear 
the  story?  I  see  the  men  are  tearing  down  a  breast- 
work, and  I  suppose  the  attacking  party  must  have 
been  a  large  one." 

"  Not  too  large,  however,  for  us  to  beat  back  and 
defeat  without  your  assistance,"  growled  his  grand- 
father, i 

"  Ah,  grandpa,  he  would  have  helped  if  he  could," 


228  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

said  Mrs.  Travilla.  "Sit  down,  Cal,  we  are  very 
glad  to  see  you." 

His  uncle  arid  Travilla  joined  in  the  assurance, 
but  Horace  and  Arthur  regarded  him  rather  coldly, 
and  "  Cousin  Ronald "  thought  he  deserved  some 
slight  punishment. 

As  he  attempted  to  take  the  offered  seat 
"Squeal!  squeal!  squeal!"  came  from  his  coat- 
pocket,  causing  him  to  start  and  redden  again,  with 
renewed  embarrassment. 

"  Oh,  Cousin  Cal!  lias  you  dot  a  wee  little  piggie 
in  your  pocket?  Let  me  see  him,"  cried  Harold, 
running  up  and  trying  to  get  a  peep  at  it;  then 
starting  back  with  a  cry  of  alarm  at  a  sudden  loud 
barking,  as  of  an  infuriated  dog,  at  Calhoun's  heels. 

Bruno  came  bounding  in  with  an  answering  bark; 
Calhoun,  thrusting  his  hand  into  his  pocket  with 
purpose  to  summarily  eject  the  pig,  and  at  the  same 
time  wheeling  about  to  confront  his  canine  antag- 
onist, looked  utterly  confounded  at  finding  none 
there,  while  to  add  to  his  confusion  and  perplexity 
a  bee  seemed  to  be  circling  round  his  head,  now 
buzzing  at  one  ear,  now  at  the  other. 

He  tried  to  dodge  it,  he  put  up  his  hand  to  drive 
it  away,  then  wheeled  about  a  second  time,  as  the 
furious  bark  was  renewed  in  his  rear,  but  turned 
pale  and  looked  absolutely  frightened  at  the  dis- 
covery that  the  dog  was  still  invisible;  then  red- 
dened again  at  perceiving  that  everybody  was 
laughing. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  229 

His  cousin  Elsie  was  trying  to  explain,  but  could 
not  make  herself  heard  above  the  furious  barking. 
She  looked  imploringly  at  Mr.  Lilburn,  and  it  ceased 
on  the  instant. 

Calhoun  dropped  into  a  chair,  and  glanced  in- 
quiringly from  one  to  another. 

His  uncle  answered  him  in  a  single  word, 
"  Ventriloquism." 

"Sold!"  exclaimed  the  youth,  joining  faintly  in 
the  mirth.  "  Strange  I  did  not  think  of  that, 
though  how  could  I  suppose  there  was  a  ventrilo- 
quist here  ?  " 

"An  excellent  one,  is  he  not?  You  must  hear 
what  good  service  he  did  last  night,"  said  Mr.  Tra- 
villa,  and  went  on  to  tell  the  story  of  the  attack  and 
defence. 

Elsie  and  Eddie  listened  to  the  account  with  keen 
interest.  Vi,  who  had  been  devoting  herself  in 
motherly  fashion  to  a  favorite  doll,  laid  it  aside  to 
hear  what  was  said;  but  Harold  was  playing  with 
Bruno,  who  seemed  hardly  yet  to  have  recovered 
from  his  wonder  at  not  finding  the  strange  canine 
intruder  who  had  so  roused  his  ire. 

Harold  had  climbed  upon  his  back,  and  with  his 
arms  around  his  neck  was  talking  to  him  in  an 
undertone.  "Now,  you's  my  horse,  Bruno;  let's 
go  ridin'  like  papa  and  Beppo." 

The  dog  started  toward  the  door.  "With  all 
my  heart,  little  master;  which  way  shall  we  go?  " 

"Why,  Bruno,   you   s'prise  me!  can  you  talk?" 


230  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

cried  the  little  fellow  in  great  delight.  "Why 
didn't  you  begin  sooner?  Mamma,  oh,  mamma!  did 
you  hear  Bruno  talk?  " 

Mamma  smiled,  and  said  gently,  "  Be  quiet,  son, 
while  papa  and  the  rest  are  talking:  or  else  take 
Bruno  out  to  the  veranda." 

Cousin  Eonald  was  amusing  himself  with  the 
children.  Ws  doll  presently  began  to  cry  and  call 
upon  her  to  be  taken  up,  and  she  ran  to  it  in  sur- 
prised delight,  till  she  remembered  that  it  was 
"  only  Cousin  Eonald  and  not  dolly  at  all." 

But  Cousin  Eonald  had  a  higher  object  than  his 
own  or  the  children's  amusement:  he  was  trying  to 
divert  their  thoughts  from  the  doings  of  the  Ku 
Klux,  lest  they  should  grow  timid  and  fearful. 


CHAPTEE  XIX. 

Revenge  at  first  though  sweet, 
Bitter  ere  long,  back  on  itself  recoils. 

— Milton. 

Geokge  Boyd,  who  was  of  most  vindictive 
temper,  had  laid  his  plans  for  the  night  of  the  raid 
upon  Ion,  to  wreak  his  vengeance,  not  upon  Tra- 
villa  only,  but  also  upon  the  woman  on  whose 
clothing  he  had  left  the  impress  of  his  bloody  hand. 

With  this  in  view,  he  went  first  to  the  kitchen 
department,  where,  as  he  had  learned  through  the 
gossip  of  the  servants,  she  now  passed  the  night, 
intending  afterward  to  have  a  hand  in  the  brutal 
flogging  to  be  meted  out  to  Mr.  Travilla.  He  headed 
the  attacking  party  there,  and  it  was  he  who  re- 
ceived upon  his  person  the  full  broadside  from 
Aunt  Dicey's  battery  of  soap  ladles. 

The  pain  was  horrible,  the  scorching  mass  cling- 
ing to  the  flesh  and  burning  deeper  and  deeper  as 
he  was  borne  shrieking  away  in  the  arms  of  his 
comrades. 

"  Oh,  take  it  off!  take  it  off!  I'm  burning  up,  I 
tell  you! "  he  yelled,  as  they  carried  him  swiftly 
down  the  avenue;  but  they  hurried  on,  seemingly 
unmindful  of  his  cries,  mingled  though  they  were 
with  oaths  and  imprecations,  nor  paused  till  they 

231 


232  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

had  reached  the  shelter  of  the  woods  at  some  little 
distance  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road. 

"  Curse  yon! "  he  said  between  his  clenched 
teeth,  as  they  laid  him  down  at  a  foot  of  a  tree, 
"curse  you!  for  keeping  me  in  this  agony.     Help 

me  off  with  these duds.     Unbutton  it,  quick! 

quick!  I'm  burning  up,  I  tell  you;  and  my  hands 
are  nearly  as  bad  as  my  face.  Oh!  oh!  you  fiends! 
do  you  want  to  murder  me  outright?  you're  bring- 
ing all  the  skin  with  it! "  he  roared,  writhing  in 
unendurable  torture,  as  they  dragged  off  the  dis- 
guise. "  Oh,  kill  me!  Bill,  shoot  me  through  the 
head,  and  put  me  out  of  this  torment,  will  you?  " 

"No,  no,  I  daren't.  Come,  come,  pluck  up 
courage,  and  bear  it  like  a  man." 

"  Bear  it,  indeed!  I  only  wish  you  had  it  to  bear. 
I  tell  you  it  can't  be  borne!  Water,  water,  for  the 
love  of  Heaven!  Carry  me  to  the  river  and  throw 
me  in.  My  eyes  are  put  out;  they  burn  like  balls  of 
fire." 

"  Stop  that  yelling,  will  you! "  cried  a  voice 
from  a  little  distance,  "you'll  betray  us.  We're 
whipped,  and  there's  troops  coming  up  too." 

"Sure,  Smith?" 

"  Yes;  heard  their  tramp,  tramp,  distinctly;  rum- 
ble of  artillery  too.  Can't  be  more'n  a  mile  off,  if 
that.  Hurry,  boys,  no  time  to  lose!  Who's  this 
groaning  at  such  an  awful  rate?  What's  the 
matter?" 

"Scalded;  horribly  scalded." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  233 

"He  aint  the  only  one,  though,  maybe  he's  the 
worst.  And  Blake's  killed  outright;  two  or  three 
more,  I  believe;  some  with  pretty  bad  pistol-shot 
wounds.  Tell  you  they  made  warm  work  for  us. 
There's  been  a  traitor  among  us;  betrayed  our  plans 
and  put  'em  on  their  guard." 

He  concluded  with  a  torrent  of  oaths  and  fearful 
imprecations  upon  the  traitor,  whoever  he  might 
be. 

"Hist!"  cried  the  one  Boyd  had  addressed  as 
Bill;  "hist,  boys!  the  bugle  call!  they're  on  us. 
Stop  your  noise,  Boyd,  can't  you! "  as  the  latter, 
seized  and  borne  onward  again,  not  too  gently, 
yelled  and  roared  with  redoubled  vigor.  "  Be  quiet, 
or  you'll  have  'em  after  us  in  no  time." 

"  Shoot  me  through  the  head  then:  it's  the  only 
thing  that  '11  help  me  to  stop  it." 

Mr.  Lilburn,  keeping  well  in  the  shadow  of  the 
trees,  had  hurried  after  the  retreating  foe,  and  con- 
cealing himself  behind  a  clump  of  bushes  close  to 
the  gate,  caused  his  bugle  note  to  sound  in  their 
ears,  as  if  coming  from  a  point  some  half  a  mile 
distant. 

-Convinced  that  a  detachment  of  United  States 
troops  were  almost  upon  them,  those  carrying  the 
dead  and  wounded  dashed  into  the  wood  with  their 
burdens,  while  in  hot  haste  the  others  mounted  and 
away,  never  drawing  rein  until  they  had  put  several 
miles  between  them  and  the  scene  of  their  at- 
tempted outrage. 


234  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Meantime  those  in  the  wood,  moving  as  rapidly 
as  possible  under  the  circumstances,  were  plunging 
deeper  and  deeper  into  its  recesses. 

There  was  an  occasional  groan  or  half  suppressed 
shriek  from  others  of  the  wounded,  but  Boyd's  cries 
were  incessant  and  heart-rending,  till  a  handker- 
chief was  suddenly  thrust  into  his  mouth  with  a 
muttered  exclamation,  "Necessity  knows  no  law! 
it's  to  save  your  own  life  and  liberty,  as  well  as 
ours." 

At  length,  well-nigh  spent  with  their  exertions, 
the  bearers  paused,  resting  their  burdens  for  a 
moment  upon  the  ground,  while  they  listened  in* 
tently  for  the  sounds  of  pursuit. 

"We've  baffled  'em,  I  think,"  panted  Bill.     "I 

don't  hear  no  more  of  that tramp,  tramp;  and 

the  bugle's  stopped  too." 

"  That's  so,  and  I  reckon  we're  pretty  safe  now," 
returned  another  voice.  "But  what's  to  be  done 
with  these  fellows?  where'll  we  take  'em?" 

"  To  Eood's  still-house,"  was  the  answer.  "  It's 
about  half  a  mile  further  on,  and  deep  in  the  woods. 
And  I  say  you,  Tom  Arnold,  pull  off  your  disguise 
and  go  after  Dr.  Savage  as  fast  as  you  can.  Tell 
him  to  come  to  the  still-house  on  the  fleetest  horse 
he  can  get  hold  of;  and  bring  along  everything 
necessary  to  dress  scalds  and  pistol-shot  wounds. 
Say  there's  no  time  to  lose,  or  Boyd  '11  die  on  our 
hands.  Now  up  with  your  load,  boys,  and  on 
again." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  235 

The  voice  had  a  tone  of  command,  and  the  orders 
were  instantly  obeyed. 

The  still-house  was  an  old,  dilapidated  frame 
building,  whose  rude  accommodations  differed 
widely  from  those  to  which,  save  during  his  army 
life,  Boyd  had  been  accustomed  from  infancy. 

They  carried  him  in,  and  laid  him  down  upon  a 
rough  pallet  of  straw,  furnished  with  coarse  cotton 
sheets  and  an  army  blanket  or  two,  not  over-clean. 

But  in  his  dire  extremity  of  pain  he  heeded 
naught  of  this,  and  his  blinded  eyes  could  not  see 
the  bare  rafters  overhead,  the  filthy  uncarpeted 
floor,  the  few  broken  chairs  and  rude  board  seats, 
or  the  little  unpainted  pine  table,  with  its  bit  of 
flickering,  flaming  tallow-candle  stuck  in  an  old 
bottle. 

His  comrades  did  what  they  could  for  his  relief; 
but  it  was  not  much,  and  their  clumsy  handling 
was  exquisite  torture  to  the  raw,  quivering  flesh, 
and  his  entreaties  that  they  would  put  him  out  of 
his  misery  at  once,  by  sending  a  bullet  through  his 
brain,  were  piteous  to  hear.  They  had  taken  his 
arms  from  him,  or  he  would  have  destroyed  himself. 

The  room  was  filled  with  doleful  sounds — the 
groans  and  sighs  of  men  in  sore  pain,  but  his  rose 
above  all  others. 

Dr.  Savage  arrived  at  length,  but  half  drunk,  and, 
an  unskilful  surgeon  at  his  best,  made  but  clumsy 
work  with  his  patients  on  this  occasion. 

Yet  the  applications  brought,  in  time,  some  slight 


236  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

alleviation  of  even  Boyd's  unendurable  agony;  his 
cries  grew  fainter  and  less  frequent,  till  they  ceased 
altogether,  and  like  the  other  wounded,  he  relieved 
himself  only  with  an  occasional  moan  or  groan. 

The  doctor  had  finished  his  task,  and  lay  in  a 
drunken  sleep  on  the  floor.  The  uninjured  raiders 
had  followed  his  example,  the  candle  had  burned 
itself  out,  and  all  was  darkness  and  silence,  save  the 
low,  fitful  sounds  of  suffering. 

To  Boyd  sleep  was  impossible,  the  pain  of  his 
burns  being  still  very  great;  especially  in  his  eyes, 
the  injury  to  which  he  feared  must  result  in  total 
blindness.  How  could  he  bear  it?  he  asked  himself, 
to  go  groping  his  way  through  life  in  utter  dark- 
ness? Horrible!  horrible!  he  would  not  endure  it; 
they  had  put  the  means  of  self-destruction  out  of 
his  way  now,  but  on  the  first  opportunity  to  get 
hold  of  a  pistol  he  would  blow  his  own  brains  out, 
and  be  done  with  this  agony.  The  Bible  was  a 
fable;  death  an  eternal  sleep;  he  had  been  saying 
it  for  years,  till  he  thought  his  belief — or  more  cor- 
rectly unbelief — firmly  fixed:  but  now  the  early 
teachings  of  a  pious  mother  came  back  to  him,  and 
he  trembled  with  the  fear  that  they  might  be  true. 

"  It  is  appointed  unto  men  once  to  die,  but  after 
that  the  judgment/'  "Every  one  of  us  shall  give 
an  account  of  himself  to  God."  "These  shall  go 
away  into  everlasting  punishment."  "Where  the 
worm  dieth  not,  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched."  Fire, 
fire!  oh,  how  unendurable  he  had  found  it!  dare  he 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  237 

risk  its  torment  throughout  the  endless  ages  of 
eternity?  Self-destruction  might  be  but  a  plunge 
into  deeper  depths  of  anguish;  from  which  there 
could  be  no  return. 

For  days  and  weeks  he  lay  in  his  miserable  hid- 
ing-place almost  untended  save  for  the  doctor's 
visits  and  the  bringing  of  his  meals  by  one  or 
another  of  his  confederates,  who  would  feed  him' 
with  a  rough  sort  of  kindness,  then  go  away  again, 
leaving  him  to  the  solitary  companionship  of  his 
own  bitter  thoughts. 

He  longed  for  the  pleasant  society  and  gentle 
ministrations  of  his  aunt,  and  he  knew  that  if  sent 
for  she  would  come  to  him,  and  that  his  secret 
would  be  safe  with  her;  but,  alas,  how  could  he  bear 
that  she  should  know  of  his  crime  and  its  punish- 
ment? She  who  had  so  earnestly  besought  him 
to  forsake  his  evil  ways,  and  live  in  peace  and  love 
with  all  men:  she  who  had  warned  him  again  and 
again  that  "  the  way  of  transgressors  is  hard,"  and 
that  "though  hand  join  in  hand,  the  wicked  shall 
not  be  unpunished."  She  who  had  loved,  cared  for, 
and  watched  over  him  with  almost  a  mother's  un- 
dying, unalterable  tenderness  and  devotion. 

How  ungrateful  she  would  deem  his  repeated 
attempt  against  the  home  and  husband  of  one  whom 
she  loved  as  her  own  child.  She  would  not  reprove 
him,  she  would  not  betray  him,  but  he  would  know 
that  in  her  secret  heart  she  condemned  him  as  a 
guilty  wretch,  a  disgrace  to  her  and  all  his  relatives; 


238  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

and  that  would  be  worse,  far  worse,  to  his  proud 
spirit  than  the  dreary  loneliness  of  his  present  con- 
dition and  the  lack  of  the  bodily  comforts  she 
would  provide. 

No,  he  would  bear  his  bitter  fate  as  best  he 
might,  and  though  he  had  proved  the  truth  of  her 
warning  words,  she  should  never  know  it,  if  he  could 
keep  it  from  her. 

Troops  had  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  the  day 
after  the  raid  on  Ion;  so  to  Boyd's  other  causes  of 
distress  was  added  the  constant  fear  of  detection 
and  apprehension.  This  was  one  reason  why  the 
visits  of  his  confreres  were  few  and  short. 

The  Klan  was  said  to  have  disbanded  and  out- 
rages had  ceased,  but  an  investigation  was  going 
on  and  search  being  made  for  the  guilty  parties; 
also  United  States  revenue  officers  were  known  to 
be  in  quest  of  illicit  distilleries,  to  which  class  this 
one  of  Hood's  belonged. 

"What's  the  news?''  asked  Boyd  one  morning, 
while  Savage  was  engaged  in  dressing  his  hurts. 
>  "  Very  bad;  you'll  have  to  get  out  of  this  at  once, 
if  you  don't  want  to  be  nabbed.  A  jail  might  be 
more  comfortable  in  some  respects,  eh,  old  boy?  but 
I  s'pose  you  prefer  liberty. 

u  *  Better  to  sit  in  Freedom's  hall, 

With  a  cold  damp  floor,  and  a  moulding  wall, 
Then  to  bend  the  neck  or  to  bow  the  knee 
In  the  proudest  palace  of  Slavery/ 

Fine  sentiment,  eh,  Boyd?  * 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  239 

The  doctor  was  just  drunk  enough  to  spout 
poetry  without  knowing  or  caring  whether  it  was 
exactly  apropos  or  not. 

"  Very  fine,  though  not  quite  to  the  point,  it 
strikes  me,"  answered  Boyd,  wincing  under  the  not 
too  gentle  touch  of  the  inebriate's  shaking  hand. 
"  But  how  am  I  to  get  out  of  this — blind  and  nearly 
helpless  as  I  am?" 

"Well,  sir,  we've  planned  it  all  for  you — never 
forsake  a  brother  in  distress,  you  know.  There's 
a  warrant  out  for  Bill  Dobbs,  and  he  has  to  ske- 
daddle too.  He  starts  for  Texas  to-night,  and  will 
take  charge  of  you." 

Savage  went  on  to  give  the  details  of  the  plan, 
then  left  with  a  promise  to  return  at  nightfall.  He 
did  so,  bringing  Dobbs  and  Smith  with  him.  Boyd's 
wounds  were  attended  to  again,  Dobbs  looking  on 
to  learn  the  modus  operandi;  then  the  invalid,  aided 
by  Smith  on  one  side  and  Dobbs  on  the  other,  was 
conducted  to  an  opening  in  the  woods,  where  a  horse 
and  wagon  stood  in  readiness,  placed  in  it,  Dobbs 
taking  a  seat  by  his  side  and  supporting  him  with  his 
arm,  and  driven  a  few  miles  along  an  unfrequented 
road  to  a  little  country  station,  where  they  took  the 
night  train  going  south. 

The  conductor  asked  no  questions;  merely  ex- 
changed glances  with  Dobbs,  and  seeing  him  appar- 
ently in  search  of  a  pin  in  the  inside  of  his  coat, 
opened  his  own  and  handed  him  one,  then  passed 
on  through  the  car. 


240  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Boyd  was  missed  from  the  breakfast-table  at  Ash- 
lands  on  the  morning  after  the  raid  upon  lorn  His 
aunt  sent  a  servant  to  his  room  to  see  if  he  had 
overslept  himself. 

The  man  returned  with  the  report  that  "  Marse 
George  "  was  not  there,  and  that  his  bed  had  cer- 
tainly not  been  occupied  during  the  night. 

Still,  as  his  movements  were  at  all  times  rather 
uncertain,  and  the  ladies,  having  had  no  communi- 
cation with  the  Oaks  or  Ion  on  the  previous  day, 
were  in  ignorance  of  all  that  had  transpired  there, 
his  absence  occasioned  them  no  particular  anxiety 
or  alarm.  The  meal  went  on,  enlivened  by  cheerful 
chat. 

"  Mamma/'  said  Herbert,  "  it's  a  lovely  morning: 
do  give  us  a  holiday  and  let's  drive  over  to  the  Oaks; 
we  haven't  seen  Aunt  Rose  and  the  rest  for  ever  so 
long." 

The  other  children  joined  in  the  petition: 
grandma  put  in  a  word  of  approval,  and  mamma 
finally  consented,  if  the  truth  were  told  nothing 
loath  to  give,  or  to  share  the  treat. 

The  carriage  was  ordered  at  once,  and  they  set 
out  shortly  after  leaving  the  table. 

Arrived  at  their  destination,  they  found  Mrs. 
Murray  on  the  veranda,  looking  out  with  an  eager, 
anxious  face. 

"Ah!"  she  said,  coming  forward  as  the  ladies 
alighted,  "I  didna  expect — my  sight  is  no  so  keen 
as  in  my  younger  days,  and  I  thocht  till  this  moment 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  241 

'twas  Mr.  Dinsmore's  carriage,  bringing  them  hame 
again  after  their  dreadfu'  nicht  at  Ion." 

Both  ladies  turned  pale,  and  old  Mrs.  Carrington 
leaned  heavily  upon  her  daughter-in-law  for  sup- 
port. Her  lips  moved,  but  no  sound  came  from 
them,  and  she  gasped  for  breath. 

"Oh,  tell  us!"  cried  Sophie,  " what,  what  has 
happened?  " 

The  children,  too,  were  putting  the  same  question 
in  varying  tones  and  words. 

"  The  Ku  Klux,"  faltered  the  housekeeper.  "  An' 
ye  hadna  heard  aboot  it,  my  leddies?  " 

"No,  no,  not  a  word,"  exclaimed  Sophie;  "but 
see,  my  mother  is  fainting.  Help  me  to  carry  her 
into  the  house." 

"No,  no,  I  can  walk:  I  am  better  now,  thank 
you,"  said  Mrs.  Carrington,  in  low,  faltering  tones. 
"Just  give  me  the  support  of  your  arm,  Mrs. 
Murray." 

They  led  her  in  between  them,  and  laid  her  on  a 
sofa. 

"And  that's  where  George  was!"  she  sighed, 
closing  her  eyes  wearily.  Then  half  starting  up, 
"Tell  me,  oh,  tell  me,  was — was — Mr.  Travilla 
injured?  " 

"No,  my  leddy,  he  had  been  warned,  and  was 
ready  for  them." 

"Thank  God!  thank  God!"  came  faintly  from 
the  white  quivering  lips,  as  she  sank  back  upon  her 
pillow  again,  and  two  great  tears,  stealing  from  be- 


242  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

neath  the  closed  eyelids,  rolled  6lowly  down  the 
furrowed  cheeks. 

"You  have  heard  the  particulars  then?"  said 
Sophie,  addressing  the  housekeeper.  "And  my 
brother  and  sister  were  there?  " 

"  Yes,  ma'am,  and  Master  Horace,  and  Miss  Eosie 
too.  Yes;  and  some  of  the  men-servants.  Mr.  Dins- 
more's  man,  John,  was  one  o'  them,  and  he's  come 
back,  and  f rae  him  I  learned  a'  was  richt  with  our 
friends." 

"  Oh,  call  him  in  and  let  me  hear  all  he  can  tell!  " 
entreated  the  old  lady. 

The  request  was  immediately  complied  with,  and 
John  gave  a  graphic  and,  in  the  main,  correct  ac- 
count of  the  whole  affair. 

His  tale  was  to  all  his  auditors  one  of  intense, 
thrilling,  painful  interest.  They  lost  not  a  word, 
and  when  he  had  finished  his  story  the  old  lady 
cross-questioned  him  closely.  "  Did  he  know  who 
had  warned  Mr.  Travilla?  were  any  of  the  raiders 
recognized?  " 

Both  of  these  questions  John  answered  in  the 
negative.  "At  least,"  he  corrected  himself,  "he 
had  not  heard  that  any  one  was  recognized:  they 
were  all  completely  disguised,  and  they  had  carried 
away  their  dead  and  wounded;  both  the  shot  and 
the  scalded." 

At  that  moment  Mr.  Dinsmore's  family  carriage 
drove  up,  and  John  bowed  and  retired. 

There  were  tearful  embraces  between  the  sisters 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  243 

and  other  relatives,  and  between  Eose  and  the  elder 
Mrs.  Carrington. 

"I  feel  as  if  you  had  been  in  terrible  danger," 
said  Sophie,  wiping  her  eyes.  a  John  has  just  been 
telling  us  all  about  it.  What  a  mercy  that  Mr. 
Tra villa  was  warned  in  time!" 

"By  whom,  Horace — if  it  be  not  an  improper 
question?"  asked  the  old  lady,  turning  to  Mr. 
Dinsmore. 

"By  a  detective,  Mrs.  Carrington,  who  was  se- 
cretly present  at  their  meeting,  and  heard  all  the 
arrangements." 

*  He  then  knew  who  were  the  members  appointed 
to  be  of  the  attacking  party?" 

Mr.  Dinsmore  bowed  assent. 

"Was — George  one?" 

"  My  dear  madam,  I  did  not  see  the  detective;  but 
their  raids  are  usually  made  by  men  coming  from 
a  distance." 

"You  are  evading  my  question.  I  implore  you 
to  tell  me  all  you  know.  George  did  not  come 
down  to  breakfast;  had  evidently  not  occupied  his 
bed  last  night,  and  this  seems  to  explain  his  absence. 
I  know,  too,  that  he  has  bitterly  hated  Travilla 
since — since  his  arrest  and  imprisonment.  Will  you 
not  tell  me?  Any  certainty  is  to  be  preferred  to 
this — this  horrible  suspense.  I  would  know  the 
worst" 

Thus  adjured  Mr.  Dinsmore  told  her  George  had 
been  appointed  one  of  the  party,  but  that  he  could 


244  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

not  say  that  he  was  actually  there.  Also  he  sup- 
pressed the  fact  that  the  appointment  had  been  by 
George's  own  request. 

She  received  the  communication  in  silence,  but 
the  anguish  in  her  face  told  that  she  felt  little  doubt 
of  her  nephew's  guilt.  And  as  days  and  weeks 
rolled  on,  bringing  no  news  of  him,  her  suspicions 
settled  into  a  sad  certainty;  with  the  added  sorrow- 
ful doubt  whether  he  were  living  or  dead. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Before 
We  end  our  pilgrimage,  'tis  fit  that  we 
Should  leave  corruption  and  foul  sin  behind  us. 
But  with  washed  feet  and  hands,  the  heathen  dared  not 
Enter  their  profane  temples;  and  for  me 
To  hope  my  passage  to  eternity 
Can  be  made  easy,  till  I  have  shook  off 
The  burthen  of  my  sins  in  free  confession, 
Aided  with  sorrow  and  repentance  for  them, 
Is  against  reason. 

—Massinger. 

It  began  to  be  noticed  that  Wilkins  Foster  also 
had  disappeared.  It  was  said  that  he  had  not  been 
seen  since  the  raid  upon  Fairview,  and  the  general 
supposition  was  that  he  had  taken  part  in  the  out- 
rage, received  a  wound  in  the  affray  and,  on  the 
advent  of  the  troops,  had  fled  the  country. 

His  mother  and  sisters  led  a  very  retired  life, 
seldom  going  from  home  except  to  attend  church, 
and  even  there  they  had  been  frequently  missing  of 
late. 

Elsie  had  been  much  engaged  in  efforts  to  com- 
fort her  old  friend,  Mrs.  Carrington,  and  to  enter- 
tain Mr.  Lilburn,  who  was  still  at  Ion;  little  excur- 
sions to  points  of  interest  in  the  vicinity  and  visits 
to  the  plantations  of  the  different  families  of  the 
connection,  who  vied  with  each  other  in  doing  him 


246  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

honor,  filled  up  the  time  to  the  exclusion  of  almost 
everything  else,  except  the  home  duties  which  she 
would  never  allow  herself  to  neglect. 

Baskets  of  fruit  and  game,  accompanied  by  kind 
messages,  had  found  their  way  now  and  again  from 
Ion  to  the  cottage  home  of  the  Fosters,  but  weeks 
had  passed  since  the  sweet  face  of  Ion's  mistress 
had  been  seen  within  its  walls. 

Elsie's  tender  conscience  reproached  her  for  this, 
when  after  an  absence  of  several  Sabbaths  Mrs. 
Foster  again  occupied  her  pew  in  the  church,  of 
which  both  were  members. 

The  poor  lady  was  clad  in  rusty  black,  seemed  to 
be  aging  fast;  and  the  pale,  thin  face  had  a  weary, 
heart-broken  expression  that  brought  the  tears  to 
Elsie's  eyes. 

When  the  service  closed  she  took  pains  to  inter- 
cept Mrs.  Foster,  who  was  trying  to  slip  away  un- 
noticed, and  taking  her  hand  in  a  warm  clasp,  kindly 
inquired  concerning  the  health  of  herself  and 
family. 

"About  as  usual,  Mrs.  Tra villa,"  was  the  reply. 

"I  am  glad  to  hear  it.  I  feared  you  were  ill. 
You  are  looking  weary;  and  no  wonder  after  your 
long  walk.  You  must  let  us  take  you  home.  There 
is  plenty  of  room  in  the  carriage,  as  the  gentlemen 
came  on  horseback;  and  it  will  be  a  real  pleasure 
to  me  to  have  your  company." 

The  sincere,  earnest,  kindly  tone  and  manner 
quite  disarmed  the  pride  of  the  fallen  gentlewoman, 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  247 

and  a  momentary  glow  of  grateful  pleasure  lighted 
up  her  sad  face. 

"But  it  will  take  you  fully  a  mile  out  of  your 
way,"  she  said,  hesitating  to  accept  the  proffered 
kindness. 

" Ah,  that  is  no  objection;  it  is  so  lovely  a  day  for 
a  drive,"  said  Elsie,  leading  the  way  to  the  carriage. 

"  This  seems  like  a  return  of  the  good  old  times 
before  the  war! "  sighed  Mrs.  Foster,  leaning  back 
upon  the  softly  cushioned  seat,  as  they  bowled 
rapidly  along.  "  Ah,  Mrs.  Travilla,  if  we  could  but 
have  been  content  to  let  well  enough  alone!  I  have 
grown  weary,  inexpressibly  weary,  of  all  this  hate, 

bitterness,  and  contention;    and    the    poverty 

Ah,  well,  I  will  not  complain! "  and  she  closed  her 
lips  resolutely. 

"  It  was  a  sad  mistake,"  Elsie  answered,  echoing 
the  sigh,  "and  it  will  take  many  years  to  recover 
from  it." 

"Yes,  I  shall  not  live  to  see  it." 

"Nor  I,  perhaps;  not  here,  but  yonder  in  the 
better  land,"  Elsie  answered,  with  a  smile  of  hope 
and  gladness. 

Mrs.  Foster  nodded  assent;  her  heart  too  full  for 
utterance,  nor  did  she  speak  again  till  the  carriage 
drew  up  before  her  own  door. 

Then  repeating  her  thanks,  "  You  have  not  been 
here  for  a  long  time,  Mrs.  Travilla,"  she  said;  "I 

know  I  have  not  returned  your  calls,  but "    She 

paused,  seemingly  again  overcome  with  emotion. 


248  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"Ah,  that  shall  not  keep  me  away,  if  you  wish 
me  to  come/'  returned  Elsie. 

"  We  would  be  very  glad;  hardly  any  one  else  so 
welcome." 

"I  fear  I  have  neglected  you,  but  shall  try  to 
come  soon.  And  shall  be  pleased  at  any  time  to  see 
you  at  Ion,"  Elsie  answered  as  the  carriage  drove 
on. 

A  day  or  two  afterward  she  fulfilled  her  promise, 
and  was  admitted  by  Annie,  the  eldest  daughter. 

She,  too,  looked  pale  and  careworn,  and  had  evi- 
dently been  weeping. 

"  Oh,  Mrs.  Tra villa! "  she  exclaimed,  and  burst 
into  a  fresh  flood  of  tears. 

Elsie,  her  own  eyes  filling  with  sympathetic 
drops,  put  her  arm  about  her,  whispering,  "  My  poor 
dear  child!  what  can  I  do  to  comfort  you?  " 

"  Nothing!  nothing!  "  sobbed  the  girl,  resting  her 
head  for  a  moment  on  Elsie's  shoulder;  "  but  come 
into  the  parlor,  dear  Mrs.  Travilla,  and  let  me  call 
mamma." 

"Ah,  stay  a  moment,"  Elsie  said,  detaining  her, 
u  are  you  sure,  quite  sure,  that  I  can  do  nothing  to 
help  you?" 

Annie  shook  her  head.  "  This  trouble  is  beyond 
human  help.  Yes,  yes,  you  c#n  pray  for  us,  and 
for  him." 

The  last  words  were  almost  inaudible  from  emo- 
tion, and  she  hurried  away,  leaving  the  guest  sole 
occupant  of  the  room. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  249 

Involuntarily  Elsie  glanced  about  her,  and  a  pang 
went  to  her  heart  as  she  noticed  that  every  article 
of  luxury,  almost  of  comfort,  had  disappeared;  the 
pictures  were  gone  from  the  walls,  the  pretty  orna- 
ments from  mantel  and  centre-table;  coarse  cheap 
matting  covered  the  floor  in  lieu  of  the  costly  carpet 
of  other  days,  and  rose-wood  and  damask  had  given 
place  to  cottage  furniture  of  the  simplest  and  most 
inexpensive  kind. 

"  How  they  must  feel  the  change! "  she  thought 
within  herself;  "and  yet,  perhaps,  not  just  now; 
these  minor  trials  are  probably  swallowed  up  in  a 
greater  one." 

Mrs.  Foster  came  in  looking  shabbier  and  more 
heart-broken  than  at  their  last  interview. 

"  My  dear  Mrs.  Travilla,  this  is  kind! "  she  said, 
making  a  strong  effort  to  speak  with  composure, 
but  failing  utterly  as  she  met  the  tender  sympa- 
thizing look  in  the  sweet  soft  eyes  of  her  visitor. 

Elsie  put  her  arm  about  her  and  wept  with  her. 
"Some  one  is  ill,  I  fear?"  she  said  at  length. 

"  Yes — my  son.  Oh,  Mrs.  Travilla,  I  am  going  to 
lose  him! "  and  she  was  well-nigh  convulsed  with 
bitter,  choking  sobs. 

"While  there  is  life  there  is  hope,"  whispered 
Elsie;  "who  can  say  what  God  may  do  for  us  in 
answer  to  our  prayers?" 

The  mother  shook  her  head  in  sad  hopelessness. 

"The  doctor  has  given  him  up;  says  nothing 
more  can  be  done." 


250  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"Dr.  Barton?" 

"  No,  no,  Savage.  Oh,  if  we  could  but  have  had 
Barton  at  first,  the  result  might  have  been  different. 
I  have  no  confidence  in  Savage,  even  when  sober, 
and  he's  drunk  nearly  all  the  time  now." 

"  Oh,  then  things  may  not  be  so  bad  as  he  repre- 
sents them.  Let  me  send  over  for  Dr.  Barton  at 
once." 

"  Thank  you,  but  I  must  ask  Wilkins  first.  He 
was  wounded  some  weeks  ago;  injured  internally, 
and  has  been  suffering  agonies  of  pain  ever  since. 
I  wanted  Dr.  Barton  sent  for  at  once,  but  he  would 
not  hear  of  it,  said  the  risk  was  too  great,  and  he 

must  trust  to  Savage.    But  now "    She  paused, 

overcome  with  grief. 

"  But  now  the  greater  risk  is  in  doing  without 
him,"  suggested  Elsie.  "  May  I  not  send  immedi- 
ately?" 

"Excuse  me  one  moment,  and  I  will  ask,"  the 
mother  said,  leaving  the  room. 

She  returned  shortly  to  say  that  Wilkins  had  con- 
sented that  Dr.  Barton  should  be  summoned,  and  ac- 
cepted Mrs.  Travilla's  kind  offer  with  thanks. 

Elsie  at  once  sent  her  servant  and  carriage  upon 
the  errand,  and  meanwhile  engaged  in  conversa- 
tion with  her  hostess.  It  was  principally  an  ac- 
count by  the  latter  of  her  son's  illness* 

His  sufferings,  she  said,  had  been  intense:  at  first 
borne  with  fierce  impatience  and  muttered  impre- 
cations upon  the  hand  that  had  inflicted  the  wound. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  251 

He  had  likened  himself  to  a  caged  tiger,  so  unbear- 
able was  the  confinement  to  him — almost  more  so 
than  the  torturing  pain — but  of  late  a  great  change 
had  come  over  him;  he  had  grown  quiet  and  sub* 
missive,  and  the  bitter  hate  seemed  to  have  died, 
out  of  his  heart. 

"As  it  has  out  of  mine,  I  hope,"  continued  the 
mother,  the  big  tears  rolling  down  her  cheeks.  "  I 
am  now  sensible  that  the  feelings  I  have  indulged 
against  some  persons — the  Lelands  principally — 
were  most  unchristian,  and  I  hope  the  Lord  has 
helped  me  to  put  them  away.  It  has  been  hard  for 
us  to  see  strangers  occupying  our  dear  old  home; 
and  yet  it  was  certainly  no  fault  of  theirs  that  we 
were  compelled  to  give  it  up." 

"That  is  all  true,"  Elsie  said;  "I  think  I  can 
understand  both  your  feelings  and  theirs,  but  they 
are  dear  good  Christian  people,  and  I  assure  you 
bear  you  no  ill-will." 

"Ah,  is  that  so?  I  am  told  Leland  has  not 
really  gone  North,  as  was  supposed,  but  has  re- 
turned to  the  plantation  since — since  the  coming 
of  the  troops." 

"He  has,  and  is  nearly  recovered  from  his 
wound." 

/"He  was  wounded,  then?" 

"Yes,  pretty  badly." 

"And  was  in  hiding  somewhere;  and  his  wife 
staying  on  alone  with  her  children  and  servants? 
I  wonder  she  had  the  courage." 


452  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  She  put  her  trust  in  the  Lord,  as  I  believe  both 
you  and  I  do,  my  dear  Mrs.  Foster;  and  he  has  not 
failed  her." 

Mrs.  Foster  mused  sadly  for  a  moment.  "  I  have 
felt  hard  to  her,"  she  murmured  at  length,  in  low, 
trembling  tones;  "and  she  a  Christian,  whom  I 
should  love  for  the  Master's  sake,  and  it  was  quite 
natural  for  her  to — defend  her  husband  and  chil- 
dren.   I  should  have  done  the  same  for  mine." 

She  had  not  mentioned  when  or  where  Wilkins 
had  received  his  wound,  but  Elsie  knew  now  that  it 
was  at  Fairview,  and  that  Mrs.  Leland's  or  Archie's 
hand  had  sped  the  bullet  that  had  done  such  fearful 
work. 

Dr.  Barton  came;  Mrs.  Foster  went  with  him  to 
the  sick-room,  and  Elsie  lingered,  anxious  to  hear 
his  opinion  of  the  case. 

But  Annie  came  hurrying  in  with  her  tear-swollen 
face.  "Dear  Mrs.  Travilla,  won't  you  come  too?" 
she  sobbed.  "Mamma  will  be  so  glad;  and — and 
Wilkins  begs  you  will  come." 

Elsie  rose  and  put  her  arm  about  the  waist  of  the 
weeping  girl.  "  I  will  gladly  do  all  I  can  for  him, 
your  mamma,  or  any  of  you,"  she  whispered. 

There  was  no  want  of  comfort  or  luxury  in  the 
sick-room.  Mother  and  sisters  had  sacrificed  every 
such  thing  to  this  idol  of  their  hearts,  this  only  son 
and  brother.  He  lay  propped  up  with  pillows,  his 
face  pale  as  that  of  a  corpse,  and  breathing  with 
great  difficulty. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  253 

Dr.  Barton  sat  at  the  bedside,  with  his  finger  on 
the  patient's  pulse,  while  he  asked  a  few  brief  ques- 
tions, then  relapsed  into  a  thoughtful  silence. 

All  eyes  were  turned  upon  him  with  intense 
anxiety,  waiting  in  almost  breathless  suspense  for 
his  verdict;  but  his  countenance  betrayed  nothing. 

"Oh,  doctor!"  sighed  the  mother  at  length,' 
"have  you  no  word  of  hope  to  speak?" 

"  Let  us  have  none  of  false  hope,  doctor,"  gasped 
the  sufferer,  "  I  would  know — the — worst." 

"  My  poor  lad,"  said  the  kind-hearted  old  physi- 
cian, in  tender,  fatherly  tones,  "  I  will  not  deceive 
you.  Whatever  preparation  you  have  to  make  for 
your  last  long  journey,  let  it  be  made  at  once." 

With  a  burst  of  uncontrollable  anguish  the 
mother  and  sisters  fell  upon  their  knees  at  the 
bedside. 

"How — long — doctor?"  faltered  the  sick  man. 

"  You  will  hardly  see  the  rising  of  another  sun." 

The  low,  gently-spoken  words  pierced  more  than 
one  heart  as  with  a  dagger's  point. 

"  Was  —  this — wound  —  mortal  in  the  —  first 
place?"  asked  Wilkins. 

"I  think  not,  if  it  had  had  prompt  and  proper 
attention.  But  that  is  a  question  of  little  impor- 
tance now — you  are  beyond  human  skill.  Is  there 
anything  in  which  I  can  assist  you?  " 

"  Yes — yes — yes — pray  for — my  guilty  soul." 

It  was  no  new  thing  for  Dr.  Barton  to  do:  an 
earnest  Christian,  he  ministered  to  the  souls  as  well 


254  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

as  the  bodies  of  his  patients.  He  knelt  and  offered 
up  a  fervent  prayer  for  the  dying  one,  that  repent- 
ance and  remission  of  sins  might  be  given  him,  that 
he  might  have  a  saving  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus, 
and,  trusting  only  in  his  imputed  righteousness,  be 
granted  an  abundant  entrance  into  his  kingdom  and 
glory. 

"  Thanks — doctor,"  gasped  Wilkins.  "  I — I've 
been  a  bad  man;  a — very  bad,  wicked — man;  can 
there  be  any  hope  for — me?" 

" '  Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  life 
freely.'  'Him  that  cometh  unto  me  I  will  in  no 
wise  cast  out.' " 

"Isn't  it — too — late?"  The  hollow  eyes  gazed 
despairingly  into  the  doctor's  face. 

"c Whosoever  will':  you  may  come  if  you  will; 
so  long  as  death  has  not  fixed  your  eternal  state." 

"I  will!  Lord,  help — save  me!  me  a  poor — lost 
— vile — helpless — sinner!  "  he  cried,  lifting  his  eyes 
and  clasped  hands  to  heaven,  while  great  tears 
coursed  down  his  sunken  cheeks.  "I  cast  myself 
— at — thy  feet;  oh,  pardon,  save  me  or — I  am — lost 
— lost  forever." 

The  eyes  closed,  the  hands  dropped,  and  for  a 
moment  they  thought  he  had  passed  away  with  that 
agonized  cry  for  mercy  and  forgiveness;  but  a  deep 
sigh  heaved  his  breast,  his  lips  moved,  and  his 
mother  bent  over  him  to  catch  the  words: 

"  Leland;  send — for — him." 

With  streaming  eyes  she  turned  to  Elsie  and  re- 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  255 

peated  the  words,  adding,  *  Do  you  think  he  would 
come?" 

"  I  am  quite  sure  of  it.    I  will  go  for  him  at  once." 

The  white  lips  were  moving  again. 

The  mother  explained,  amid  her  choking  sobs: 
"  He  says  the  wife  too,  and — and  your  husband  and 
father.  Oh,  will  they  come?  Tell  them  my  boy  is 
dying,  and  would  go  at  peace  with  all  the  world." 

"I  will;  and  they  will  come,"  Elsie  answered, 
weeping,  and  hurried  away. 

She  drove  directly  to  Fairview,  and  was  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  find  her  husband  and  father  there  con- 
versing with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leland. 

Her  sad  story  was  quickly  told,  and  listened  to  by 
all  with  deep  commiseration  for  the  impoverished 
and  afflicted  family. 

"You  will  not  refuse  the  poor  dying  man's  re- 
quest, papa?  Edward?"  she  said  in  conclusion. 

"Certainly  not!"  they  answered,  speaking  both 
together,  "  we  will  set  out  immediately.  And  you, 
Leland?" 

"Will  gladly  accompany  you.  I  bear  the  poor 
man  no  malice,  and  would  rejoice  to  do  him  any 
good  in  my  power.    What  do  you  say,  Mary?  " 

She  looked  at  him  a  little  anxiously.  "  Is  it  quite 
safe  for  you?  " 

"Quite,  I  think,"  he  replied,  appealing  to  the 
other  gentlemen  for  their  opinion. 

They  agreed  with  him,  Mr.  Dinsmore  adding,  "  I 
have  no  doubt  the  man  is  sincere;  and  I  have  still 


256  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

more  confidence  in  his  mother,  whom  I  have  long 
looked  upon  as  a  truly  Christian  woman." 

"Besides,"  remarked  Mr.  Travilla,  "the  Ku 
Klux  would  hardly  dare  venture  an  outrage  now. 
The  most  desperate  have  fled  the  country,  and  the 
rest  stand  in  wholesome  awe  of  the  troops." 

"  I  am  quite,  quite  sure  there  is  no  risk  in  going," 
said  Elsie  earnestly;  "but  whatever  is  done  must 
be  done  quickly,  for  Wilkins  is  evidently  very  near 
his  end;  may,  perhaps,  expire  before  we  arrive,  even 
though  we  make  all  haste." 

At  that  there  was  a  general,  hurried  movement, 
and  in  less  time  than  it  takes  to  tell  it,  they  were 
on  their  way;  Mrs.  Leland  in  the  carriage  with  Elsie, 
and  the  gentlemen  on  horseback. 

Under  the  influence  of  restoratives  administered 
by  Dr.  Barton,  great  apparent  improvement  had 
taken  place  in  Wilkins'  condition;  he  was  in  less 
pain,  breathed  more  freely,  and  spoke  with  less 
difficulty. 

At  sight  of  his  visitors  his  pale  face  flushed 
slightly,  and  an  expression  of  regret  and  morti- 
fication swept  over  his  features. 

"  Thank  you  all  for  coming, "  he  said  feebly. 
"Please  be  seated.  I  am  at  the  very  brink  of  the 
grave,  and — and  I  would  go  at  peace  with  all  men. 
I — I've  hated  you  every  one.  And  you — Leland,  I 
would  have  killed  if  I  could.  It  was  in  the  attempt 
to  do  so  that  I — received  my  own  death  wound  at 
the  hands  of  your  wife." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  25? 

Mrs.  Leland  started,  trembled,  and  burst  into 
tears.  That  part  of  the  story  Elsie  had  omitted, 
and  she  now  heard  it  for  the  first  time. 

"Don't  be  disturbed,"  he  said;  "you  were 
doing  right — in  defending  yourself,  husband,  and 
children." 

"Yes,  yes,"  she  sobbed,  "but,  oh,  I  would  save 
you  now  if  I  could!    Can  nothing  be  done?  " 

He  shook  his  head  sadly.  "Will  you,  can  you, 
all  forgive  me  ?  "  he  asked  in  tones  so  faint  and  low 
that  only  the  death-like  silence  of  the  room  made 
the  words  audible. 

"  With  all  my  heart,  my  poor  fellow,  as  I  hope  to 
be  forgiven  my  infinitely  greater  debt  to  my  Lord," 
Mr.  Leland  answered  with  emotion,  taking  the 
wasted  hand,  and  clasping  it  warmly  in  his. 

Foster  was  deeply  touched.  "  God  bless  you  for 
the  words,"  he  whispered.  "How  I've  been  mis- 
taken in  you,  sir! " 

His  eyes  sought  the  faces  of  Dinsmore  and  Tra- 
villa,  and  drawing  near  the  bed,  each  took  his  hand 
in  turn,  and  gave  him  the  same  assurance  he  had 
already  received  from  Leland. 

Then  the  last  named  said,  "I  ask  your  forgiveness, 
Foster,  for  any  exasperating  word  I  may  have 
spoken,  or  anything  else  I  have  done  to  rouse  un- 
kind feelings  toward  me." 

In  reply,  the  dying  man  pressed  Leland's  hand  in 
moved  silence. 

Mrs.  Leland  rose  impetuously,  and  dropped  on 


258  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD, 

her  knees  at  the  bedside.  "  And  me! "  she  cried, 
with  a  gush  of  tears,  "will  you  forgive  me  your 
death?  I  cannot  bear  to  think  it  was  my  work,  even 
though  done  in  lawful  self-defence,  and  to  save  my 
dear  ones." 

"It  is — all — right  between  us,"  he  murmured, 
and  relapsed  into  unconsciousness. 

"  We  are  too  many  here,"  said  the  physician,  dis- 
missing all  but  the  mother. 

Elsie  remained  in  an  adjoining  room,  trying  to 
comfort  the  sisters,  while  Mrs.  Leland  and  the 
gentlemen  repaired  to  the  veranda,  where  they 
found  Mr.  Wood,  who  had  just  arrived,  having  been 
sent  for  to  converse  and  pray  with  the  dying  man. 

"How  does  he  seem?"  he  asked.  "Can  I  go  at 
once  to  the  room?  " 

"  Not  now;  he  is  unconscious,"  said  Mr.  Dins- 
more,  and  went  on  describe  Foster's  condition, 
mental,  moral,  and  physical,  as  evidenced  in  his  in- 
terview with  them  and  the  earlier  one  with  Dr. 
Barton;  of  which  Elsie  had  given  them  an  account. 

"Ah,  God  grant  he  may  indeed  find  mercy,  and 
be  enabled  to  lay  hold  upon  Christ  to  the  saving 
of  his  soul,  even  at  this  eleventh  hour! "  ejaculated 
the  pastor.  "  A  death-bed  repentance  is  poor 
ground  for  hope.  I  have  seen  many  of  them  in  my 
fifty  years'  ministry,  but  of  all  those  who  recovered 
from  what  had  seemed  mortal  illness  but  one  held 
fast  to  his  profession. 

"  The  others  all  went  back  to  their  former  evil 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  250> 

ways,  showing  conclusively  that  they  had  been  self- 
deceived,  and  theirs  but  the  hope  of  the  hypocrite, 
which  '  shall  perish:  whose  hope  shall  be  cut  off, 
and  whose  trust  shall  be  a  spider's  web.' 

"Yet  with  our  God  all  things  are  possible,  and 
the  invitation  is  to  all  who  are  yet  on  praying 
ground;  ( Whosoever  will.'  " 

At  this  moment  Elsie  glided  into  their  midst,  and 
putting  her  hand  into  that  of  her  pastor,  said  in 
low,  tearful  tones,  "I  am  so  glad  you  have  cornel 
He  is  conscious  again,  and  asking  for  you." 

He  went  with  her  to  the  bedside. 

The  glazing  eyes  grew  bright  for  an  instant. 
"You  have — come:  oh,  tell  me — what — I  must — do 
— to — be  saved!  " 

"  I  can  only  point  you  to  c  the  Lamb  of  God  that 
taketh  way  the  sin  of  the  world,'"  returned  the 
pastor,  deeply  moved:  "  only  repeat  his  invitation, 
'  Look  unto  me,  and  be  ye  saved  all  ye  ends  of  the 
earth.' " 

"  I — am — trying — trying,"  came  faintly  from  the 
pale  lips,  while  the  hands  moved  slowly,  feebly, 
from  side  to  side,  as  if  groping  in  the  dark,  "  Lord 
save " 

A  deep  hush  filled  the  room,  broken  presently  by 
the  mother's  wail  as  she  fell  on  her  knees  at  the  bed- 
side, and  taking  the  cold  hand  in  hers,  covered  it 
with  kisses  and  tears. 

With  the  last  word  the  spirit  had  taken  its  flight; 
to  him  time  should  be  no  longer,  eternity  had  begun. 


260  ELSIW8  MOTHERHOOD, 

"Few  and  evil  had  been  his  days;  he  was  not  yet 
thirty,  and,  possessed  of  a  fine  constitution  and 
vigorous  health,  had  every  prospect  of  long  life  had 
he  been  content  to  live  at  peace  with  his  fellow- 
men;  but  by  violent  dealing,  he  had  passed  away  in 
the  midst  of  his  years. 

"  Bloody  and  deceitful  men  shall  not  live  out  half 
their  days."    "The  wages  of  sin  is  death." 


CHAPTER  XXL 

Kindness  has  resistless  charms. 

— Rochester, 

Through  all  the  trying  scenes  that  followed, 
Elsie  was  with  the  Fosters,  giving  aid  and  comfort, 
such  as  the  tenderest  sympathy  and  most  delicate 
kindness  could  give.  She  and  her  husband  and 
father  took  upon  themselves  all  the  care  and  trouble 
of  the  arrangements  for  the  funeral,  quietly  settled 
the  bills,  and  afterward  sent  them,  receipted,  to 
Mrs.  Foster. 

Wilkins  had  been  the  chief  support  of  the 
family,  the  ladies  earning  a  mere  pittance  by  the 
use  of  the  needle  and  sewing-machine.  Nothing  had 
been  laid  by  for  a  rainy  day,  and  the  expenses  of  his 
illness  had  to  be  met  by  the  sale  of  the  few  articles 
of  value  left  from  the  wreck  of  their  fortunes.  And 
now,  but  for  the  timely  aid  of  these  kind  friends, 
absolute  want  had  stared  them  in  the  face. 

They  made  neither  complaint  nor  parade  of  their 
poverty,  but  it  was  unavoidable  that  Elsie  should 
learn  much  of  it  at  this  time,  and  her  heart  ached 
for  them  in  this  accumulation  of  trials. 

The  girls  were  educated  and  accomplished,  but 
shrank  with  timidity  and  sensitive  pride  from  exert- 
ing themselves  to  push  their  way  in  the  world. 

261 


262  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"I  think  they  could  teach/'  Mrs.  Foster  said  to 
Elsie,  who,  calling  the  day  after  the  funeral,  had 
with  delicate  tact  made  known  her  desire  to  assist 
them  in  obtaining  some  employment  more  lucrative 
and  better  adapted  to  their  tastes  and  social  posi- 
tion; "  I  think  they  have  the  necessary  education 
and  ability,  and  I  know  the  will  to  earn  an  honest 
livelihood  is  not  lacking;  but  where  are  pupils  to 
be  found?5' 

"Are  you  willing  to  leave  that  to  Mr.  Travilla 
and  me?"  asked  Elsie,  with  gentle  kindliness. 

"  Ah,  you  are  too  good,  too  kind,"  said  Mrs.  Fos- 
ter, weeping. 

"  No,  no,  my  dear  friend,"  returned  Elsie;  "  does 
not  the  Master  say,  'This  is  my  commandment, 
That  ye  love  one  another,  as  I  have  loved  you?' 
Now  tell  me  what  sort  of  situations  they  would  like, 
and  what  branches  they  feel  competent  to  teach." 

"Annie  is  a  good  musician  and  draws  well.  She 
would  be  glad,  indeed,  to  get  a  class  of  pupils  in 
the  neighborhood  to  whom  she  might  give  lessons, 
here  or  at  their  homes,  in  drawing,  and  on  the  piano 
and  harp.  Lucinda  thinks  she  could  teach  the  Eng- 
lish branches,  the  higher  mathematics,  and  French. 

"But,  indeed,  my  dear  Mrs.  Travilla,  they  will 
be  thankful  for  anything — especially  if  it  does  not 
take  them  away  from  me." 

"We  will  see  what  can  be  done — my  husband, 
papa,  and  I,"  Elsie  said,  rising  to  take  leave.  "  And 
do  not  be  anxious;  remember  those  precious  words, 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  263 

1 Casting  all  your  care  on  him,  for  he  careth  foi 
yon/  " 

"  Do  not  go  yet! "  entreated  Mrs.  Foster,  taking 
and  holding  fast  the  hand  held  out  to  her,  "  if  yon 
only  knew  what  a  comfort  your  presence  is.  Ah3 
dear,  kind  friend,  God  has  made  yon  a  daughter  of 
consolation  to  his  bereaved,  afflicted  ones ! " 

Elsie's  eyes  filled.  "It  is  what  I  have  prayed 
that  he  would  do  for  me/'  she  whispered.  "  But  I 
think  I  must  go  now:  my  husband  was  to  call  for  me, 
and  I  see  him  at  the  gate." 

Elsie  repeated  the  conversation  to  her  husband 
as  they  rode  homeward,  and  consulted  him  in  regard 
to  a  plan  which  had  occurred  to  her. 

He  approved,  and  instead  of  stopping  at  Ion  they 
rode  on  to  Roselands. 

Arrived  there,  Mr.  Travilla  joined  the  gentlemen 
in  the  library,  while  Elsie  sought  her  aunts  in  the 
pretty  parlor  usually  occupied  by  them  when  not 
entertaining  company. 

After  a  little  desultory  chat  on  ordinary  topics, 
she  spoke  of  the  Fosters,  their  indigent  circum- 
stances, and  her  desire  to  find  employment  for  the 
girls  in  teaching.  > 

"Always  concerning  yourself  in  other  people's 
business;"  remarked  Enna.  "Why  don't  you  do 
like  the  rest  of  us,  and  leave  them  to  mind  their 
own  affairs  ?  " 

"  Because  I  see  that  they  need  help,  and  we  are 
told,  '  Look  not  every  man  on  his  own  things,  but 


264  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

every  man  also  on  the  things  of  others.'  And  again, 
'  As  we  have  therefore  opportunity,  let  us  do  good 
unto  all  men,  especially  unto  them  who  are  of  the 
household  of  faith.' 

"  I  heard  you,  not  long  since,  Aunt  Louise,  wish- 
ing you  could  afford  a  day  governess,  and  knew  of  a 
suitable  person.  Would  you — would  you  be  willing 
to  employ  one  at  my  expense,  and  give  the  situation 
to  Lucinda  Foster?" 

"  And  let  her  give  it  out  among  our  acquaintance 
that  you  were  paying  for  the  education  of  my  chil- 
dren! "  exclaimed  Louise,  coloring  angrily.  "  No, 
I  thank  you." 

"Not  at  all;  she  need  know  nothing  of  the 
arrangement  except  that  you  employ  her  to  instruct 
your  children,  and  pay  her  for  it.  You  and  Enna, 
if  she  will  accept  the  same  from  me,  for  herself." 

"  Dear  me,"  exclaimed  Enna,  "  how  you're  always 
spending  money  on  strangers,  when  your  own  rela- 
tions could  find  plenty  of  use  for  it! " 

Elsie  smiled  slightly  at  this  peculiar  view  taken 
of  her  generous  offer,  but  only  added,  "  I  would,  if 
you  would  accept " 

"  I'm  no   object  of  charity,"  interrupted  Louise. 

"Certainly  not,"  Elsie  said,  coloring,  "yet  why 
should  you  object  to  giving  so  near  a  relative  the 

pleasure  of But  in  this  instance,  'tis  I  who 

am  asking  a  favor  of  you.  I  want  to  help  the  Fos- 
ters, and  cannot  do  so  directly,  without  wounding 
their  honest  pride  of  indepedence." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  265 

"You  will,  of  course,  employ  Lucinda  to  teach 
your  own?" 

"No,  I  am  not  in  want  of  a  governess.  Would 
you  like  to  have  Anna  give  lessons  to  your  girls 
in  music  and  drawing?  " 

"Is  she  to  teach  yours?"  asked  Enna. 

"  No;  M.  Keboul  has  them  under  his  instruction, 
and  as  he  gives  entire  satisfaction,  I  could  not  feel 
right  to  turn  him  away." 

"H'm!  teachers  that  are  not  good  enough  for 
your  children,  are  not  good  enough  for  ours." 

"  If  I  were  in  want  of  teachers,  I  should  employ 
the  Misses  Foster,"  was  Elsie's  quiet  reply. 

Nothing  more  was  said  for  a  moment;  then,  rising 
to  go,  "I  am  then  to  consider  my  proposition  de- 
clined?" she  remarked  inquiringly. 

"  Well,  no,  since  you  put  it  on  the  ground  of  a 
favor  to  yourself,  I  should  be  sorry  to  refuse  to 
gratify  you,"  said  Louise. 

"  Thank  you.    And  you,  Enna?  " 

"  She  can  teach  mine  if  she  wants  to,  and  if  I 
could  afford  it,  Annie  should  give  music  lessons  to 
Molly — drawing  too;  but  if  I  can't,  I  can't." 

"  It  need  be  no  expense  to  you,"  said  Elsie. 

"  Very  well  then,  you  can  engage  her  and  fix  the 
terms  to  suit  yourself." 

"  Thank  you;  I  shall  enjoy  their  pleasure  in  hear- 
ing that  they  have  sc  many  pupils  already  secured." 

Elsie's  benevolent  kindness  did  not  stop  here;  she 
called  on  a  number  of  families  in  the  vicinity,  and 


266  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

succeeded  m  obtaining  almost  as  many  pupils  for 
the  girls  as  they  could  well  attend  to. 

Then  another  difficulty  arose:  the  distances  were 
too  great  for  the  young  ladies  to  traverse  on  foot, 
and  they  had  no  means  of  conveyance. 

But  this  was  obviated  for  the  present  by  giving 
them  the  use  of  Prince  and  Princess,  either  with  or 
without  the  phaeton,  during  the  hours  of  the  day 
that  such  help  was  needed. 

The  ponies  were  sent  over  to  the  cottage  every 
morning,  after  the  children  had  had  their  ride,  by 
an  Ion  servant,  who  returned  for  them  later. 

&  rs.  Leland  heard  of  her  friend's  efforts,  and 
going  over  to  Ion,  asked,  u  Why  did  you  not  call  on 
me?  my  children  need  instruction." 

"  I  hardly  liked  to  ask  it  of  you." 

"  And  I  feel  a  delicacy  about  proposing  the  thing 
to  the  Fosters,  but — I  would  be  very  glad  to  help 
them;  and  if  you  can  learn  that  they  would  not 
mind  coming  to  Fairview  for  the  sake  of  several 
more  scholars,  I  authorize  you  to  make  the  engage- 
ment for  me." 

Elsie  undertook  the  errand,  and  did  it  so  well  that 
the  Fosters  were  deeply  touched  by  this  kindness  on 
the  part  of  one  they  had  once  hated  and  reviled, 
and  whose  husband  their  brother  had  tried  to  kill. 

The  offer  was  gratefully  accepted,  the  young  Le- 
lands  became  the  pupils  of  these  former  foes,  little 
courtesies  and  kind  offices  were  exchanged,  and  in 
the  end  warm  friendship  took  the  place  of  enmity. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

The  mother  in  her  office  holds  the  key 

Of  the  soul;  and  she  it  is  who  stamps  the  coin 

Of  character,  and  makes  the  being  who  would  be  a  savagfc, 

But  for  her  gentle  cares,  a  Christian  man. 

Then  crown  her  queen  of  the  world. 

—Old  Play. 

The  families  from  the  Oaks  and  Ashlands  had 
been  spending  the  day  at  Ion. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  while  awaiting 
the  call  to  tea  they  had  all  gathered  in  the  drawing- 
room,  whose  windows  overlooked  the  avenue  and 
lawn  on  one  side,  on  the  other  a  very  beautiful  part 
of  the  grounds,  and  a  range  of  richly  wooded  hills 
beyond. 

A  pause  in  the  conversation  was  broken  by  Mr. 
Travilla.  "Wife,"  he  said,  turning  to  Elsie, 
"  Cousin  Ronald  should  see  Viamede:  our  old  friend 
here,  Mrs.  Carrington,  needs  change  of  scene  and 
climate;  two  good  things  that  would  not  hurt  any 
one  present.  Shall  we  not  invite  them  all  to  go  and 
spend  the  winter  with  us  there?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  yes  indeed!  what  a  delightful  plan! " 
she  cried,  with  youthful  enthusiasm.  "  Ah,  I  hope 
you  will  accept;  the  place  is  almost  a  paradise  upon 
earth,  and  we  would  do  all  in  our  power  to  make 


268  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

the  time  pass  agreeably.    Cousin  Ronald,  don't  re- 
fuse.   Papa,  dear,  don't  try  to  hunt  up  objections." 

"Ah  ha!  urn  h'm!  I've  not  the  least  idea  of  it, 
cousin,"  said  the  one. 

"  I  am  not,"  said  the  other,  smiling  fondly  upon 
her,  "  but  must  be  allowed  a  little  time  to  consider." 

"  Oh,  papa,  don't  say  so!  "  cried  Rosie.  "Mamma, 
coax  him  quick  before  he  has  time  to  say  it." 

"  I  think  there's  no  need,"  laughed  Rose.  "  Can't 
you  see  that  he  is  nearly  as  eager  as  the  rest  of  us? 
and  how  could  he  do  a  whole  winter  without  your 
sister?    How  could  any  of  us,  for  that  matter?" 

"  You  have  advanced  an  unanswerable  argument, 
my  dear,"  said  Mr.  Dinsmore,  "  and  I  may  as  well 
give  consent  at  once." 

"Thank  you,  mamma,"  said  Elsie,  "thank  you 
both.  Now,  if  the  rest  of  you  will  only  be  as  good!  * 
and  she  glanced  persuasively  from  one  to  another. 

"  As  good!  "  said  Sophie,  smiling,  "  if  to  be  ready 
to  accept  the  kindest  and  most  delightful  of  invita- 
tions be  goodness,  then  I  am  not  at  all  inclined 
to  be  bad.    Mother,  shall  we  not  go*?  " 

"Oh,  grandma,  you  will  not  say  no?"  cried  the 
young  Carringtons,  who  had  listened  to  the  propo- 
sition with  eager  delight. 

"No,  please  don't,"  added  little  Elsie,  putting 
her  arms  coaxingly  about  the  old  lady's  neck. 
"  Mamma,  papa,  grandpa,  and  mammy  all  say  it  is 
so  lovely  there,  and  we  want  you  along." 

"  Thanks,  dear,  thanks  to  your  papa  and  mamma 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  269 

too,"  said  the  old  lady,  clasping  the  little  girl  close, 
while  tears  filled  her  aged  eyes;  "yes,  yes,  I'll  go; 
we  will  all  go;  how  could  I  reject  such  kind- 
ness! " 

The  children,  from  Kosie  Dinsmore — who  would 
hardly  have  consented  to  be  put  into  that  list — 
down  to  Harold  Travilla,  were  wild  with  delight, 
and  for  the  rest  of  the  evening  could  scarce  speak 
or  think  of  anything  else  than  Viamede  and  the 
pleasures  they  hoped  to  enjoy  there. 

"Now  all  have  spoken  but  you,  brother  mine," 
Elsie  said,  turning  to  Horace,  Jr.  "You  surely 
do  not  intend  to  reject  our  invitation?  " 

"  Not  entirely,  sister,  but  papa  seems  to  have  left 
the  considering  for  me,  and  I've  been  at  it.  There 
ghould  be  someone  to  look  after  the  plantations 
here,  and  upon  whom  but  myself  should  that  duty 
devolve?" 

"We  all  have  good  overseers." 

"Yes,  but  there  should  be  someone  to  take  a 
general  supervision  over  them.  I  think  I  will  go 
with  you,  make  a  short  visit  and  return — if  you  all 
like  to  trust  me  with  the  care  of  your  property." 

"You're  welcome  to  take  care  of  Ashlands, 
Cousin  Horace,  and  Fll  be  obliged  to  you  too," 
spoke  up  young  Herbert  Carrington,  "  and  so  will 
mother  and  grandma,  I  know." 

"  Indeed  we  will,"  said  the  old  lady. 

"And  it  will  leave  us  quite  free  from  care,  you 
good  boy,"  added  the  younger. 


270  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Mr.  Travilla  expressed  similar  sentiments  in 
regard  to  Horace's  offer  as  it  concerned  Ion,  and 
Mr.  Dinsmore  was  quite  as  willing  to  leave  the  Oaks 
in  his  son's  care. 

As  it  was  now  late  in  the  fall  and  no  very  ex- 
tensive preparations  were  needed,  it  was  agreed  that 
they  would  start  in  a  few  days. 

"  We  shall  make  a  large  party/'  remarked  Sophie, 
"Are  you  sure,  Elsie,  that  you  will  have  room  for 
so  many?  " 

"  Abundance;  the  house  is  very  large;  and  the 
more  the  merrier.  I  wish  I  could  persuade  Aunt 
Wealthy,  May,  and  Harry  to  come,  with  their  babies 
too,  of  course.    I  shall  write  to  Lansdale  to-night." 

"That  would  be  a  delightful  addition  to  the 
party,"  remarked  Mr.  Dinsmore;  "  but  aunt  is  now 
in  her  eightieth  year,  and  I  fear  will  think  herself 
much  too  old  for  so  long  a  journey." 

"  Ah,  yes,  papa,  but  she  is  more  active  than  most 
women  of  seventy,  and  can  go  nearly  all  the  way 
by  water;  down  the  Ohio,  and  the  Mississippi,  and 
along  the  Gulf.  At  all  events,  I  shall  do  my  best 
to  persuade  her." 

"And  you  are  so  great  a  favorite  that  your 
eloquence  will  not  be  wasted,  I  think,"  said  Mr. 
Travilla. 

He  was  right;  the  old  lady  could  not  resist  the 
urgent  entreaties  of  her  dearly  loved  grandniece, 
joined  to  the  pleasant  prospect  of  spending  some 
months  with  her  and  the  other  relatives  and  friends, 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  271 

each  of  whom  held  a  place  in  her  warm,  loving 
heart. 

An  answering  letter  was  sent  from  Lansdale  by 
return  of  mail,  promising  that  their  party  would 
follow  the  other  to  Viamede  at  an  early  day. 

May  too  was  enchanted  with  the  thought  of  a 
winter  in  that  lovely  spot,  and  the  society  of  her  two 
sisters,  and  Elsie,  who  was  almost  as  dear. 

But  to  return.  As  soon  as  the  children  learned 
that  the  winter  was  really  to  be  spent  at  Viamede, 
and  that  they  would  set  off  in  a  few  days,  the  whole 
flock — leaving  their  elders  to  settle  the  dry  details 
— hastened  in  quest  of  "mammy." 

They  found  her  in  the  nursery,  seated  before  a 
crackling  wood  fire,  with  little  Herbert  in  her  arms. 

Quickly  their  news  was  told,  and  gathering  round 
her,  they  plied  her  with  questions  about  her  old 
Louisiana  home. 

"Well,  chillins,"  she  said,  her  old  eyes  growing 
bright  with  joy  at  the  thought  of  seeing  it  again — 
for,  of  course,  she  would  be  included  in  the 
party — "it's  jes  lubly  as  lubly  kin  be!  de  grand  ole 
house,  an'  de  lawn,  an'  de  shrubbery,  an'  de  gardens, 
an'  fields,  an'  orchards,  an'  eberyting — yes,  it  am  de 
lubliest  place  dis  chile  eber  see." 

"Horses  to  ride,"  said  Eddie. 

"  Yes,  Marse  Eddie,  hosses  to  ride,  an'  kerridges 
to  drive  out  in;  'sides  a  beautiful  boat  on  de  bayou, 
an'  fish  dere  dat  you  kin  ketch  wid  a  hook  an'  line. 
Ole  Uncle  Joe  he  kotch  dem  mos'  ebery  day  for  de 


272  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

table,  an  Massa  Ed'ard  an'  Miss  Elsie  say  dey's  bery 
tine." 

"And  what  else?"  asked  the  eager  voice  of  little 
Daisy  Carrington. 

"  Oranges!  ripe  oranges  growing  out  of  doors  on 
the  trees! "  cried  her  brother  Harry,  clapping  his 
hands  and  capering  about  the  room,  smacking  his 
lips  in  anticipation  of  the  coming  feast 

"Yes,  chillins,  orange  trees  on  de  lawn,  an'  a 
'mense  orchard  wid  hundreds  an*  millions  ob  dem  on 
de  branches  an'  on  de  ground.  An'  den  de  gardens 
full  ob  roses  an'  all  lubly  flowers,  an'  vines  climbin' 
ober  de  verandas  an'  roun'  de  pillahs  an'  de  win- 
dows, an'  clar  up  to  de  roof." 

"  Oh,  how  sweet! "  cried  the  children,  their  eyes 
dancing  with  delight.  "  But  Aunt  Chloe,  will  there 
be  room  for  us  all?"  asked  Meta  Carrington,  who 
was  next  to  Herbert  in  age. 

"Yes,  chile:  dere's  rooms,  an'  rooms,  an'  rooms, 
in  dat  house." 

"A  playroom,  mammy?"  asked  Eddie. 

"  Yes,  chillins,  a  big  room  whar  yo'  grandma  used 
to  play  when  she  was  a  little  chile." 

Mammy's  voice  grew  low  and  husky  for  a  mo- 
ment, and  great  tears  stood  in  her  eyes.  But  she 
struggled  with  her  emotion  and  went  on,  "  Her  dolls 
are  dere  yet,  an'  de  baby  house  ole  marster  hab  made 
for  her;  an'  de  beautiful  sets  ob  little  dishes,  an' 
a  great  many  tings  mo';  for  she  hab  lots  ob  toys 
an'  neber  destroyed  nuflin.  An'  nobody  eber  goes  dar 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  273 

but  Aunt  Phillis  when  she  hab  a  clarin'  up  time 
in  dat  part  ob  de  house." 

"Yes,"  said  little  Elsie,  who  had  been  as  silent 
and  intent  a  listener  as  though  the  tale  were  quite 
new  to  her,  "  mamma  has  told  us  about  those  things, 
and  that  they  are  always  to  be  kept  very  carefully, 
because  they  belonged  to  her  dear  mamma." 

"  And  we  can't  ever  play  with  them! "  exclaimed 
Vi,  "  but  mamma  will  show  them  all  to  us;  she  said 
she  would  when  she  takes  us  to  Viamede." 

"  Oh,  Fd  like  to  play  with  them! "  exclaimed 
Meta.    "Doesn't  anybody  ever?" 

"No,  chile,"  said  mammy,  shaking  her  head 
gravely,  "  dere  aint  nobody  eber  'lowed  to  go  in  dat 
room  but  Aunt  Phillis,  when  Miss  Elsie  not  dar. 
But  run  away  now,  chillins,  dere's  de  tea-bell 
a-ringin'." 

Mamma,  too,  on  coming  up  at  the  usual  hour  to 
see  her  darlings  safe  in  bed,  had  many  questions  put 
to  her  on  the  same  subject. 

They  were  all  patiently  answered,  some  further 
details  given,  and  sweet  sympathy  shown  in  their 
gladness  over  the  pleasant  prospect  before  them; 
then  with  the  accustomed  tender  good-night  kiss, 
and  with  a  parting  injunction  not  to  lie  awake  talk- 
ing, she  left  them. 

"  Did  anybody  ever  have  such  a  dear  mamma  as 
ours! "  exclaimed  Vi,  nestling  close  to  her  sister. 

"No,  I  think  not,"  replied  Elsie  in  a  tone  of 
grave  consideration.     "But  now  we  mus'n't  talk 


274  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

any  more;  because  she  bade  us  not:  and  I've  come 
to  bed  early  to-night  to  please  you " 

"  Yes,  you  dear,  good  6ister,  you  very  dearest  girl 
in  all  the  world! "  interrupted  Vi,  rising  on  her 
elbow  for  a  moment  to  rain  a  perfect  shower  of 
kisses  upon  the  sweet  face  by  her  side. 

Elsie  laughed  low  and  musically,  and  hugging 
her  tight,  returned  the  caresses,  then  went  on,  "  But 
I  mus'n't  keep  you  awake.  So  now  let's  lie  down 
and  not  say  one  word  more." 

"No;  not  a  single  one,"  returned  Vi,  cuddling 
down  again. 

"Mamma,"  said  Eddie,  coming  into  the  school- 
room next  morning  with  a  slight  frown  on  his 
usually  pleasant  face,  "why  do  you  call  us  to  les- 
sons? Can't  we  have  holidays  now  that  we  are  going 
away  so  soon?  " 

"  No,  my  son;  I  think  it  best  to  attend  now  to 
our  regular  duties.  You  will  have  a  rest  from 
study  while  taking  the  journey,  and  for  a  few  days 
after  we  reach  Viamede.  Will  not  that  be  better?  " 
she  asked,  with  a  motherly  smile,  as  she  softly 
smoothed  back  the  dark  clustering  curls  from  his 
broad  open  brow. 

"  But  I  don't  want  to  say  lessons  to-day,"  he  an- 
swered with  a  pout,  and  resolutely  refusing  to  meet 
her  glance. 

"My  little  son,"  she  said,  with  tender  gravity, 
"were  we  sent  into  this  world  to  please  ourselves? * 

"No,  mamma." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  275 

"No;  'even  Christ  pleased  not  himself/  and  we 
are  to  try  to  be  like  him.    Whose  will  did  he  do  ?  * 

"  His  Father's,  mamma." 

"Yes,  and  whose  will  are  you  to  do?" 

"  God's  will,  you've  taught  me,  mamma,  but " 

"Well,  son?" 

"Mamma,  will  you  be  angry  if  I  say  my 
thought?" 

"I  think  not:  let  me  hear  it." 

"Mamma,  isn't — isn't  it  your  will  this  time? 
About  the  lessons,  I  mean.  Please,  mamma,  don't 
think  I  want  to  be  naughty,  asking  it?" 

She  drew  him  closer,  and  bending  down  pressed 
her  lips  to  his  forehead.  "No,  my  son,  you  want 
it  explained,  and  I  am  glad  you  told  me  your 
thought.  Yes,  it  is  my  will  this  time,  but  as  God 
bids  children  honor  and  obey  their  parents,  is  it 
not  his  will  also?" 

"I  s'pose  so,  mamma.  But  I  wish  it  didn't  be 
your  will  to  have  me  learn  lessons  to-day." 

Elsie  was  forced  to  smile  in  spite  of  herself.  With 
another  slight  caress,  she  asked,  "Do  you  think  I 
love  you,  Eddie?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  yes,  mamma!  I  know  you  do,  and  I  love 
you  too:  indeed  I  do  dearly,  dearly! "  he  burst  out, 
throwing  his  arms  about  her  neck.  "  And  I  know 
you  just  want  to  make  me  good  and  happy,  and  that 
your  way's  always  best.  So  I  won't  be  naughty  any 
more." 

At  that  there  was  a  general  exclamation  of  delight 


276  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

from  the  other  three,  who  had  been  silent,  but 
deeply  interested  listeners,  and  all  crowded  round 
mamma,  vying  with  each  other  in  bestowing  upon 
her  tender  caresses  and  words  of  love. 

Each  had  felt  more  or  less  disinclination  for  the 
regular  routine  of  work,  but  that  vanished  now,  and 
they  went  through  their  allotted  tasks  with  more 
than  usual  spirit  and  determination. 

Ah,  what  a  sweetener  of  toil  is  love!  love  to  a 
dear  earthly  parent,  and  still  more  love  to  Christ: 
there  is  no  drudgery  in  the  most  menial  employment 
where  that  is  the  motive  power. 


CHAPTEK  XXIII. 

Put  a  knife  to  thy  throat,  if  thou  be  a  man  given  to  appe- 
tite.— Proverbs  xxiii.  2. 

The  happy  days  came,  full  soon  to  the  fathers 
and  mothers,  at  long  last  to  the  eager,  expectant 
children. 

Old  Mr.  Dinsmore  had  accepted  a  pressing  invi- 
tation from  his  granddaughter  and  her  husband  to 
join  the  party,  and  with  the  addition  of  servants  it 
was  a  large  one. 

As  they  were  in  no  haste,  and  the  confinement 
of  a  railroad  car  would  be  very  irksome  to  the 
younger  children,  it  had  been  decided  to  make  the 
journey  by  water. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  of  an  unusually 
warm,  bright  November  day  that  they  found  them- 
selves comfortably  established  on  board  a  fine 
steamer  bound  for  New  Orleans. 

There  were  no  sad  leave-takings  to  mar  their 
pleasure,  the  children  were  in  wild  spirits,  and  all 
seemed  cheerful  and  happy  as  they  sat  or  stood  upon 
the  deck  watching  the  receding  shore  as  the  vessel 
steamed  out  of  the  harbor. 

At  length  the  land  had  quite  disappeared; 
nothing  could  be  seen  but  the  sky  overhead  and  a 

m 


278  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

vast  expanse  of  water  all  around,  and  the  passengers 
found  leisure  to  turn  their  attention  upon  each 
other. 

"  There  are  some  nice-looking  people  on  board," 
remarked  Mr.  Travilla,  in  an  undertone,  to  his  wife. 

"  Beside  ourselves,"  added  Cousin  Konald, 
laughing. 

"  Yes,"  she  answered;  "  that  little  group  yonder: 
a  young  minister,  and  his  wife,  and  child,  I  sup- 
pose. And  what  a  dear  little  fellow  he  is;  just  about 
the  age  of  our  Harold,  I  should  judge." 

"  Yes,  mamma,"  chimed  in  the  last-named  young 
gentleman,  "  he's  a  nice  little  boy.  May  I  go  speak 
to  him?    May  I,  papa?" 

Permission  was  given,  and  the  next  moment  the 
two  stood  close  together,  each  gazing  admiringly 
into  the  other's  face. 

"  Papa,"  remarked  the  little  stranger,  looking  up 
at  his  father,  "  I  very  much  wish  I  had  a  face  like 
this  little  boy's." 

"  Do  you,  son?  "  was  the  smiling  rejoinder.  "  He 
certainly  looks  like  a  very  nice  little  boy.  Suppose 
you  and  he  shake  hands,  Frank." 

"Yes,  sir,"  said  the  child,  holding  out  a  small, 
plump  hand.     "What's  your  name,  little  boy?" 

"Harold  Travilla,  and  yours  is  Fank?" 

"  Yes,  Frank  Daly.  Don't  you  like  this  nice  big 
boat?" 

"  Yes,  I  do.  Won't  you  come  wis  me,  and  speak 
to  my  mamma  and  papa?  " 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  279 

Frank  looked  inquiringly  at  his  father. 

"Yes,  yon  may  go  if  yon  wish,"  returned  the 
latter,  and  the  two  started  off  hand  in  hand. 

"Mamma,  see!  isn't  he  a  dear  little  boy?"  asked 
Harold,  leading  his  new  friend  up  before  her  with 
an  air  of  proud  ownership. 

"Yes,  indeed,"  she  said,  bending  down  to  kiss 
Frank  and  stroke  his  hair. 

"  I  think  he's  a  good  boy,  'cause  he  didn't  come 
till  his  papa  told  him  to,"  continued  Harold. 

"  A  very  good  way  to  judge  of  a  boy,"  said  Cousin 
Ronald. 

"  His  name  is  Fank,"  said  Harold.  "  Fank,  that's 
Cousin  Eonald,  and  this  is  papa,  and  this  is 
grandpa,"  and  so  on,  leading  him  from  one  to 
another  till  he  had  introduced  him  to  the  whole 
party,  not  even  omitting  Baby  Herbert  and  mammy. 

Then  Frank's  papa  came  for  him,  saying  the  air 
was  growing  very  cool,  and  it  was  time  to  go  in. 

Our  friends  were  of  the  same  opinion,  and  all 
repaired  to  the  ladies'  saloon,  where,  through  the 
children,  they  and  the  Dalys  soon  made  ac- 
quaintance. 

Mr.  Daly  was  a  minister  going  South  for  the 
winter  for  the  sake  of  his  own  and  his  wife's 
health. 

Cousin  Ronald  took  Frank  on  his  knee  and 
asked,  "  What  are  you  going  to  do,  my  little  fellow, 
when  you  get  to  be  a  man?  " 

"Preach  the  gospel,  sir." 


280  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"Ah  ha,  ah  ha!  urn  h'm,  urn  h'm!  and  what  will 
you  say?" 

"I'll  tell  the  people  we'll  sing  the  twenty-third 
piece  of  ham.     How  will  that  sound?  " 

"Bather  comical,  I  think,  my  man.  Are  ye  no 
afraid  the  folk  might  laugh?" 

"  No,  sir;  they  don't  laugh  when  papa  says  it." 

"Ah  ha,  ah  ha!  urn  h'm! " 

Mr.  Daly  smiled.  "I  never  knew  before,"  said 
he,  "  that  my  boy  intended  to  follow  my  profession." 

The  ladies  were  weary,  and  retired  to  their  state- 
rooms shortly  after  tea,  but  the  gentlemen  sought 
the  open  air  again,  and  paced  the  deck  for  some 
time. 

"  Have  a  cigar,  sir?  "  asked  Mr.  Lilburn,  address- 
ing Mr.  Daly. 

"  Thank  you,  no;  I  don't  smoke." 

"Ah  ha!  um  h'm!  In  that  you  seem  to  be  of 
one  mind  with  my  friends  here,  the  Dinsmores  and 
Travilla,"  remarked  Lilburn,  lighting  one  for  him- 
self, and  placing  it  between  his  lips.  "I  wonder 
now  if  you  know  what  you  miss  by  your  absti- 
nence?" 

"  "Well,  sir,  as  to  that,  I  know  what  some  of  my 
friends  and  acquaintance  would  have  missed  if  they 
had  abstained  from  the  use  of  the  weed.  One  would 
have  missed  a  terrible  dyspepsia  that  laid  him  in  his 
grave  in  the  prime  of  life;  another  cancer  of  the 
lip,  which  did  the  same  by  him  after  years  of  hor- 
rible suffering." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  281 

"  Ah  ha!  urn  h'm!  ah  ha!  But  surely  those  were 
rare  cases?" 

"  I  think  not  very." 

"  You  don't  think  the  majority  of  those  who  use 
it  feel  any  ill  effects?" 

"J  do,  indeed;  though  probably  comparatively 
few  are  aware  that  tobacco  is  the  cause  of  their 
ailments." 

"  Doubtless  that  is  the  case,"  remarked  Mr.  Dins- 
more.  "  I  was  a  moderate  smoker  for  years  before 
I  discovered  that  I  was  undermining  my  constitu- 
tion by  the  indulgence;  at  length,  however,  I  be- 
came convinced  of  that  fact,  and  gave  it  up  at  once: 
for  that  reason,  and  for  the  sake  of  the  example  to 
my  boy  here, — who  has  been  willing  to  profit  by  his 
father's  experience, — and  abstain  altogether." 

"I  have  never  used  the  weed  in  any  way,"  said 
Horace,  Jr. 

"And  I,"  remarked  Travilla,  "abandoned  its 
use  about  the  same  time  that  Dinsmore  did,  and  for 
the  same  reasons.  By  the  way,  I  met  with  a  very 
strong  article  on  the  subject,  lately,  which  I  cut  out 
and  placed  in  my  pocket-book." 

"  Ah  ha!  um  h'm!  suppose  you  give  us  the  benefit 
of  it,"  suggested  Lilburn  good  naturedly;  "I'm 
open  to  conviction." 

"With  all  my  heart,  if  you  will  step  into  the 
gentlemen's  cabin,  where  there's  a  light." 

He  led  the  way,  the  others  all  following,  and 
taking  out  a  slip  of  paper,  read  from  it  in  a  distinct 


282  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

tone,  loud  enough  to  be  heard  by  those  about  him, 
without  disturbing  the  other  passengers. 

"  i  One  drop  of  nicotine — extract  of  tobacco — 
placed  on  the  tongue  of  a  dog  will  kill  him  in  a 
minute;  the  hundredth  part  of  a  grain  picked  under 
the  skin  of  a  man's  arm  will  produce  nausea  and 
fainting.  That  which  blackens  old  tobacco  pipes  is 
empyreumatic  oil,  a  grain  of  which  would  kill  a  man 
in  a  few  seconds. 

" '  The  half  dozen  cigars  which  most  smokers  use 
a  day  contain  six  or  seven  grains — enough,  if  con- 
centrated and  absorbed,  to  kill  three  men,  and  a 
pound  of  tobacco,  according  to  its  quality,  con- 
tains from  one-quarter  to  one  and  a  quarter  ounces. 

" ( Is  it  strange,  then,  that  smokers  and  chewers 
have  a  thousand  ailments?  that  German  physicians 
attribute  one-half  of  the  deaths  among  the  young 
men  of  that  country  to  tobacco?  that  the  French 
Polytechnic  Institute  had  to  prohibit  its  use  on  ac- 
count of  its  effects  on  the  mind?  that  men  grow 
dyspeptic,  hypochondriac,  insane,  delirious,  from  its 
use? 

" '  One  of  the  direct  effects  of  tobacco  is  to  weaken 
the  heart.  Notice  the  multitude  of  sudden  deaths, 
and  see  how  many  are  smokers  and  chewers.  In  a 
small  country  town  seven  of  these  '  mysterious 
providences '  occurred  within  the  circuit  of  a  mile, 
all  directly  traceable  to  tobacco;  and  any  physician, 
on  a  few  moments'  reflection,  can  match  this  fact 
by  his  own  observation. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  283 

" c  And  then  such  powerful  acids  produce  intense 
irritation  and  thirst — thirst  which  water  does  not 
quench.  Hence  a  resort  to  cider  and  beer.  The 
more  this  thirst  is  fed,  the  more  insatiate  it  be- 
comes, and  more  fiery  drink  is  needed. 

" '  Out  of  seven  hundred  convicts  examined  at 
the  New  York  State  prison,  six  hundred  were  con- 
fined for  crimes  committed  under  the  influence  of 
liquor,  and  five  hundred  said  they  had  been  led  to 
drink  by  the  use  of  tobacco.' "  * 

"Ah  ha,  ah  ha!  um  h'm!  ah  ha!  that's  strongly 
put,"  remarked  Mr.  Lilburn  reflectively.  "I'm 
afraid  I'll  have  to  give  it  up.  What  say  you,  sir?  " 
turning  to  Mr.  Daly,  "  has  a  man  a  right  to  a  choice 
in  such*. a  matter  as  this?  a  right  to  injure  his  body 
— to  say  nothing  of  the  mind — by  a  self-indulgence, 
the  pleasure  of  which  seems  to  him  to  overbalance 
the  possible  or  probable  suffering  it  may  cause?" 

"No,  sir;  '  What!  know  ye  not  that  your  body  is 
the  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  in  you, 
which  ye  have  of  God,  and  ye  are  not  your  own? 
For  ye  are  bought  with  a  price:  therefore  glorify 
God  in  your  body,  and  in  your  spirit,  which  are 
God's.'" 

"  Eight,  sir,  I  was  thinking  of  those  words  of  the 
apostle,  and  also  of  these  other,  e  If  any  man  defile 
the  temple  of  God,  him  shall  God  destroy:  for  the 
temple  of  God  is  holy,  which  temple  ye  are.' 

"  We  certainly  have  no  right  to  injure  our  bodies 
*  J.  E.  Vose  in  the  "  Family  Christian  Almanac,"  for  1876. 


284  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

either  by  neglect  or  self-indulgence.  e  Know  ye  not 
that  your  bodies  are  the  memebrs  of  Christ? '  and 
again,  'I  beseech  you,  therefore,  brethren,  by  the 
mercies  of  God,  that  ye  present  your  bodies  a  living 
sacrifice,  holy,  acceptable  unto  God,  which  is  your 
reasonable  service/  " 

"It  must  require  a  good  deal  of  resolution  for 
one  who  has  become  fond  of  the  indulgence  to  give 
it  up,"  remarked  Mr.  Daly. 

"  No  doubt,  no  doubt,"  returned  Mr.  Lilburn, 
"but,  fIf  thy  right  eye  offend  thee,  pluck  it  out, 
and  cast  it  from  thee;  for  it  is  profitable  for  thee 
that  one  of  thy  members  should  perish,  and  not  that 
thy  whole  body  should  be  cast  into  hell/  " 

There  was  a  pause  broken  by  young  Horace,  who 
had  been  watching  a  group  of  men  gathered  about 
a  table  at  the  further  end  of  the  room. 

"  They  are  gambling  yonder,  and  I'm  afraid  that 
young  fellow  is  being  badly  fleeced  by  that  middle- 
aged  man  opposite." 

The  eyes  of  the  whole  party  were  at  once  turned 
in  that  direction. 

"  I'm  afraid  you're  right,  Horace,"  said  Mr.  Tra- 
villa,  recalling  with  an  inward  shudder  the  scene 
he  had  witnessed  in  a  gambling  hell  many  years 
ago,  in  which  the  son  of  his  friend  Beresford  so 
nearly  lost  his  life.  "What  can  be  done  to  save 
him?  Some  effort  must  be  made!  "  And  he  started 
up  as  if  with  the  intention  of  approaching  the 
players. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  285 

"  Stay  a  moment,"  exclaimed  Lilburn  in  an 
undertone,  and  laying  a  detaining  hand  upon  Tra- 
villa's  arm,  but  with  his  gaze  intently  fixed  upon  the 
older  gamester.  "Ah  ha!  um  h/m!  that  fellow  is 
certainly  cheating.  I  saw  him  slip  a  card  from  his 
coat  sleeve." 

The  words  had  scarcely  passed  his  lips  when  a 
voice  spoke  apparently  close  at  the  villain's  side. 

"  Ah  ha,  I  zees  you  veil,  how  you  runs  de  goat- 
shleeve  down  mit  de  gards,  and  sheats  dat  boor  poy 
vat  ish  blay  mit  you.  Yoh,  sir,  you  ish  von  pig 
sheat! " 

"How  dare  you,  sir?  who  are  you?"  cried  the 
rascal,  starting  up  white  with  rage,  and  turning  to 
face  his  accuser. 

"  Who  was  it?  where  is  that  Dutch  scoundrel  that 
dared  accused  me  of  cheating?"  he  cried,  sending 
a  fierce  glance  about  the  room. 

"  Vat  ish  dat  you  galls  me — von  Dutch  scoundrel? 
you  man  mit  de  proken  nose;  I  say  it  again;  you 
ish  von  pig  sheat." 

This  time  the  voice  seemed  to  come  from  a  state- 
room behind  the  gambler.  Towering  with  rage,  he 
rushed  to  the  door  and  tried  to  open  it.  Failing  in 
that,  he  demanded  admittance  in  loud,  angry  tones, 
at  the  same  time  shaking  the  door  violently,  and 
kicking  against  it  with  a  force  that  seemed  likely 
to  break  in  the  panels. 

There  was  an  answering  yell,  a  sound  as  of  some 
one  bouncing  out  of  his  berth  upon  the  floor,  the 


286  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

key  turned  hastily  in  the  lock,  the  door  was  thrown 
wide  open,  and  a  little  Frenchman  appeared  on  its 
threshold  in  night  attire,  bowie  knife  and  pistol 
in  hand,  and  black  eyes  flashing  with  indignant 
anger. 

"  Sir,  monsieur,  I  vil  know  vat  for  is  dis  disturb- 
ance of  mine  slumbers  ?  " 

"  Sir! "  said  the  other,  stepping  back,  instantly 
cooled  down  at  the  sight  of  the  weapons,  "  I  beg 
pardon:  was  looking  for  a  scoundrel  of  a  Dutchman 
who  has  been  abusing  me,  but  I  see  he's  not  here." 

"No,  sir,  he  is  not  here!"  and  the  door  was 
slammed  violently  to. 

"Ha,  ha!  man  mit  de  proken  nose,  you  vake  up 
de  wrong  bassenger.  Ha,  ha!  I  dells  you  again  you 
ish  von  pig  sheat! " 

Now  the  voice  came  from  the  skylight  overhead, 
apparently,  and  with  a  fierce  imprecation  the  irate 
gamester  rushed  upon  deck,  and  ran  hither  and 
thither  in  search  of  his  tormentor. 

His  victim,  who  had  been  looking  on  during  the 
little  scene,  and  listening  to  the  mysterious  voice 
in  silent  wide-eyed  wonder  and  fear,  now  rose  has- 
tily, his  face  deathly  pale,  with  trembling  hands 
gathered  up  the  money  he  had  staked,  and  hurry- 
ing into  his  stateroom   locked  himself  in. 

The  remaining  passengers  looked  at  each  other. 

"What  does  it  mean?"  cried  one. 

"A  ventriloquist  aboard,  of  course,"  returned 
another.    "  Let's  follow  and  see  the  fun." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  287 

u  I  wonder  which  of  us  it  is!  *  remarked  the  first, 
looking  hard  at  our  party. 

"I  don't  know,  but  come  on.  That  fellow  Nick 
Ward  is  a  noted  blackleg  and  ruffian:  had  his  nose 
broken  in  a  fight,  and  is  sensitive  on  the  subject; 
was  cheating  of  course." 

They  passed  out,  our  party  close  in  their  rear. 

"  Where's  that  Dutch  villain?  "  Ward  was  scream 
ing,  following  up  his  question  with  a  volley  of  oaths. 

"Who?"  asked  the  mate.  "I've  seen  none  up 
here;  though  there  are  some  in  the  steerage." 

Down  to  the  steerage  flew  the  gambler,  without 
waiting  to  reply,  and  bounding  into  the  midst  of  a 
group  of  German  emigrants  seated  there  quietly 
smoking  their  pipes,  angrily  demanded  which  of 
them  it  was  who  had  been  on  the  upper  deck  just 
now  abusing  him,  and  calling  him  a  cheat,  and  a 
man  with  a  broken  nose. 

They  heard  him  in  silence,  with  a  cool,  phleg- 
matic indifference  most  exasperating  to  one  in  his 
present  mood. 

Drawing  his  revolver,  "  Speak!  "  he  shouted,  "  tell 
me  which  one  it  was,  or  I'll — 111  shoot  every 
mother's  son  of  you! " 

His  arms  were  suddenly  pinioned  from  behind, 
while  a  deep  voice  grunted,  "You  vill,  vill  you? 
I  dinks  not;  you  ish  mine  brisoner.  Dere  ish  nopody 
here  as  did  gall  you  names,  and  you  vill  put  up  dat 
leetle  gun." 

A  man  of  giant  size  and  herculean  strength  had 


288  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD, 

laid  aside  his  pipe,  and  slowly  rising  to  his  feet, 
seized  the  scoundrel  in  his  powerful  grasp. 

"Let  me  go!"  yelled  Ward,  making  a  desperate 
effort  to  free  his  arms. 

"  Ha,  ha!  man  mit  de  proken  nose,  you  ish  vake 
up  de  wrong  hassenger  again,"  came  mockingly 
from  above.  "  It  ish  me  as  galls  you  von  pig  sheat; 
and  I  dells  it  you  again." 

"  There,  the  villain's  up  on  the  deck  now! "  cried 
Ward,  grinding  his  teeth  in  impotent  rage.  Let 
go  my  arms!  let  go,  I  say,  and  I'll  teach  him  a 
lesson." 

"I  dinks  no;  I  dinks  I  deach  you  von  lesson," 
returned  his  captor,  not  relaxing  his  grasp  in  the 
least. 

But  the  captain's  voice  was  heard  asking  in  stern 
tones,  "What's  the  cause  of  all  this  disturbance? 
what  are  you  doing  down  there,  Ward?  I'll  have 
no  fighting  aboard." 

The  German  released  his  prisoner,  and  the  latter 
slunk  away,  with  muttered  threats  and  imprecations 
upon  the  head  of  his  tormentor. 

Both  that  night  and  the  next  day  there  was  much 
speculation  among  the  passengers  in  regard  to  the 
occurrence;  but  our  friends  kept  their  own  counsel, 
and  the  children,  cautioned  not  to  divulge  Cousin 
Eonald's  secret,  guarded  it  carefully,  for  all  had 
been  trained  to  obedience,  and  besides  were  anxious 
not  to  lose  the  fun  he  made  for  them. 

Mr.  Idlburn  and  Mr.  Daly,  each  at  a  different 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  289 

time,  sought  out  the  young  man,  Ward's  intended 
victim,  and  tried  to  influence  him  for  good. 

He  thought  he  had  been  rescued  by  the  inter- 
position of  some  supernatural  agency,  and  solemnly 
declared  his  fixed  determination  never  again  to  ap- 
proach a  gaming  table,  and  throughout  the  voyage 
adhered  to  his  resolution,  spite  of  every  influence 
Ward  could  bring  to  bear  upon  him  to  break  it. 

Yet  there  was  gambling  again  the  second  night, 
between  Ward  and  several  others  of  his  profession. 

They  kept  it  up  till  after  midnight.  Then  Mr. 
Lilburn,  waking  from  his  first  sleep,  in  a  stateroom 
near  by,  thought  he  would  break  it  up  once  more. 

A  deep  stillness  reigned  in  the  cabin:  it  would 
seem  that  every  one  on  board  the  vessel  except 
themselves  and  the  watch  on  deck  was  wrapped  in 
profound  slumber. 

An  intense  voiceless  excitement  possessed  the 
players,  for  the  game  was  a  close  one,  and  the  stakes 
were  very  heavy.  They  bent  eagerly  over  the  board, 
each  watching  with  feverish  anxiety  his  companion's 
movements,  each  casting,  now  and  again,  a  gloating 
eye  upon  the  heap  of  gold  and  greenbacks  that  lay 
between  them,  and  at  times  half  stretching  out  his 
hand  to  clutch  it. 

A  deep  groan  startled  them,  and  they  sprang  to 
their  feet,  pale  and  trembling  with  sudden  terror, 
each  holding  his  breath  and  straining  his  ear  to 
catch  a  repetition  of  the  dread  sound. 

But  all  was  silent,  and  after  a  moment  of  anxious 


290  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

waiting  they  sat  down  to  their  game  again,  trying 
to  conceal  and  shake  off  their  fears  with  a  forced, 
unnatural  laugh. 

But  scarcely  had  they  taken  the  cards  into  their 
hands  when  a  second  groan,  deeper,  louder,  and 
more  prolonged  than  the  first,  again  started  them 
to  their  feet. 

"  I  tell  you  this  is  growing  serious,"  whispered 
one,  in  a  shaking  voice,  his  very  lips  white  with  fear. 

"It  came  from  under  the  table,"  gasped  Ward; 
*  look  what's  there." 

"Look  yourself." 

"Both  together  then,"  and  simultaneously  they 
bent  down  and  peered  into  the  space  underneath 
the  board. 

There  was  nothing  there. 

"What  can  it  have  been?  "  they  asked  each  other. 

"Oh,  nonsense!  what  fools  we  are!  of  course, 
somebody's  ill  in  one  of  the  staterooms."  And  they 
resumed  their  game  for  the  second  time. 

But  a  voice  full  of  unutterable  anguish  came 
from  beneath  their  feet,  "  Father  Abraham,  have 
mercy  on  me,  and  send  Lazarus,  that  he  may  dip 
the  tip  of  his  finger  in  water,  and  cool  my  tongue: 
for  I  am  tormented  in  this  flame,' "  and  in  mortal 
terror  they  sprang  up,  dashed  down  their  cards  and 
fled,  not  even  waiting  to  gather  up  the  "filthy 
lucre  "  for  which  they  were  selling  their  souls. 

It  was  the  last  game  of  cards  for  that  trip. 

The  captain,  coming  in  shortly  after  the  sudden 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  291 

flight  of  the  gamblers,  took  charge  of  the  money, 
and  the  next  day  restored  it  to  the  owners. 

To  Elsie's  observant  eyes  it  presently  became  evi- 
dent that  the  Dalys  were  in  very  straitened  circum- 
stances. They  made  no  complaint,  but  with  her 
warm  sympathy  and  delicate  tact  she  soon  drew 
from  the  wife  all  the  information  she  needed  to 
convince  her  that  here  was  a  case  that  called  for 
the  pecuniary  assistance  Providence  had  put  it  in 
her  power  to  give. 

She  consulted  with  her  husband,  and  the  result 
was  a  warm  invitation  to  the  Dalys  to  spend  the 
winter  at  Viamede,  where  they  would  have  all  the 
benefit  of  the  mild  climate,  congenial  society,  use 
of  the  library,  horses,  etc.,  and  be  at  no  expense. 

"  Oh,  how  kind,  how  very  kind! "  Mrs.  Daly  said 
with  tears  of  joy  and  gratitude;  "we  have  hardly 
known  how  we  should  meet  the  most  necessary  ex- 
penses of  this  trip,  but  have  been  trying  to  cast  our 
care  upon  the  Lord,  asking  him  to  provide.  And 
how  wonderfully  he  has  answered  our  petitions. 
But — it  seems  too  much,  too  much  for  you  to  do 
for  strangers." 

"  Strangers,  my  dear  friend! "  Elsie  answered, 
pressing  her  hand  affectionately;  "  are  we  not  sisters 
in  Christ?  *  Ye  are  all  the  children  of  God  by  faith 
in  Christ  Jesus.'    *  Ye  are  all  one  in  Christ  Jesus.' 

"We  feel,  my  husband  and  I,  that  we  are  only 
the  stewards  of  his  bounty;  and  that  because  he  has 
said,  '  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the 


292  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD, 

least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto 
me/  it  is  the  greatest  privilege  and  delight  to  do 
anything  for  his  people." 

Mr.  Travilla  had  already  expressed  the  6ame 
sentiments  to  Mr.  Daly,  and  so  the  poor  minister 
and  his  wife  accepted  the  invitation  with  glad  and 
thankful  hearts,  and  Harold  and  Frank  learned  with 
delight  that  they  were  to  live  together  for  what,  to 
their  infant  minds,  seemed  an  almost  interminable 
length  of  time. 

The  passage  to  New  Orleans  was  made  without 
accident  or  detention. 

As  our  party  left  the  vessel  a  voice  was  heard 
from  the  hold,  crying  in  dolorous  accents,  and  a 
rich  Irish  brogue,  *  Och,  captin  dear,  help  me  out, 
help  me  out!  I've  got  fast  betwane  these  boxes 
here,  bad  cess  to  'em!  an'  can't  hilp  mesilf  at  all, 
at  all! " 

"Help  you  out,  you  passage  thief!"  roared  the 
captain  in  return;  "yes,  I'll  help  you  out  with  a 
vengeance,  and  put  you  into  the  hands  of  the 
police." 

"  Ah  ha!  urn  h'm,  ah  ha,  youll  have  to  catch  him 
first,"  remarked  Mr.  Lilburn  with  a  quiet  smile, 
stepping  from  the  plank  to  the  wharf  as  he  spoke. 

"Ah,  cousin,  you  are  incorrigible!"  said  Elsie 
laughingly. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

The  fields  did  laugh,  the  flowers  did  freely  spring, 
The  trees  did  bud  and  early  blossom  bear, 
And  all  the  quire  of  birds  did  sweetly  sing, 
And  told  that  garden's  pleasures  in  their  caroling. 

— Spenser's  Faery  Queen. 

Nothing  could  be  lovelier  than  was  Viamede 
as  they  found  it  on  their  arrival. 

The  children,  one  and  all,  were  in  an  ecstasy  of 
delight  over  the  orange  orchard,  with  its  wealth  of 
golden  fruit,  glossy  leaves,  and  delicate  blossoms, 
the  velvety  lawn  with  its  magnificent  shade  trees, 
the  variety  and  profusion  of  beautiful  flowers,  and 
the  spacious  lordly  mansion. 

They  ran  hither  and  thither;  jumping,  dancing, 
clapping  their  hands,  and  calling  to  each  other  with 
shouts  of  glee. 

The  pleasure  and  admiration  of  the  older  people 
were  scarcely  less,  though  shown  after  a  soberer 
fashion.  But  no  check  was  put  upon  the  demon- 
strations of  joy  of  the  younger  ones:  they  were 
allowed  to  gambol,  frolic,  and  play,  and  to  feast 
themselves  upon  the  luscious  fruit  to  their  hearts' 
content. 

Nor  was  the  gladness  all  on  the  side  of  the  new 


294  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

arrivals:  to  the  old  house  servants,  many  of  whom 
still  remained,  the  coming  of  their  beloved  young 
mistress  and  her  children  had  been  an  event  looked 
forward  to  with  longing  for  years. 

They  wept  for  joy  as  they  gathered  about  her, 
kissed  her  hand,  and  clasped  her  little  ones  in  their 
arms,  fondling  them,  and  calling  them  by  every 
endearing  name  known  to  the  negro  vocabulary. 

And  the  children,  having  heard  a  great  deal,  from 
both  mamma  and  mammy,  about  these  old  people, 
and  their  love  and  loyalty  to  the  family,  were  nei- 
ther surprised  nor  displeased,  but  quite  ready  to 
receive  and  return  the  affection  lavished  upon  them. 

The  party  from  Lansdale  arrived  only  a  few  days 
after  the  others,  and  were  welcomed  with  great 
rejoicings,  in  which  even  Bruno  must  have  a  share: 
he  jumped  and  gamboled  about  Harry  and  May, 
tried  to  kiss  the  babies,  and  finally  put  his  »nose 
into  Aunt  Wealthy's  lap,  saying,  "  Ye're  a  dear  auld 
leddy,  ma'am,  and  I'm  glad  ye've  come! " 

"  Ah,"  she  answered,  patting  his  head,  and  laugh- 
ing her  low,  sweet  silvery  laugh,  "  you  betray  your 
Scotch  accent,  my  fine  fellow;  and  I'm  too  old  a 
chaff  to  be  caught  with  a  bird." 

Mr.  Mason  was  still  chaplain  at  Viamede,  and 
with  his  wife  and  children  occupied  a  pretty  and 
commodious  cottage  which  had  been  built  on  the 
estate  expressly  for  their  use. 

When  he  and  Mr.  Daly  met  they  instantly  and 
delightedly  recognized  each  other  as  former  class- 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  295 

mates  and  intimate  friends,  and  the  Dalys,  by  ur- 
gent invitation,  took  up  their  abode  for  the  winter 
in  the  cottage;  but  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tra villa  were  care- 
ful that  it  should  still  be  entirely  at  their  expense. 

A  suite  of  apartments  in  the  mansion  was  appro- 
priated to  each  of  the  other  families,  and  it  was 
unanimously  agreed  that  each  should  feel  at  perfect 
liberty  to  withdraw  into  the  privacy  of  these,  having 
their  meals  served  to  them  there,  if  they  so  desired; 
or  at  their  pleasure  to  mingle  with  the  others  in 
the  breakfast-parlor,  dining-room,  drawing-rooms, 
library,  etc. 

The  first  fortnight  was  made  a  complete  holiday 
to  all,  the  days  being  filled  up  with  games,  walks, 
rides,  drives,  and  excursions  by  land  and  water. 

In  consequence  of  the  changes  occasioned  by  the 
war,  they  found  but  little  society  in  the  neighbor- 
hood now,  yet  scarcely  missed  it,  having  so  much 
within  themselves. 

But  at  length  even  the  children  began  to  grow 
somewhat  weary  of  constant  play.  Harry  Duncan 
and  Horace,  Jr.,  announced  their  speedy  departure 
to  attend  to  business,  and  the  other  adults  of  the 
party  felt  that  it  was  time  to  take  up  again  the 
ordinary  duties  of  life. 

Mr.  Daly,  anxious  to  make  some  return  for  the 
kindness  shown  him,  offered  to  act  as  tutor  to  all 
the  children  who  were  old  enough  for  school 
duties;  but  Rosie  put  her  arms  about  her  father's 
neck  and,  looking  beseechingly  into  his  eyes,  said 


296  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

she  preferred  her  old  tutor;  at  which  he  smiled, 
and  stroking  her  hair,  said  she  should  keep  him 
then,  for  he  would  be  quite  as  loath  to  give  up  his 
pupil;  and  Elsie's  children,  clinging  about  her, 
entreated  that  their  lessons  might  still  be  said  to 
mamma. 

"  So  they  shall,  my  darlings,"  she  answered,  "  for 
mamma  loves  to  teach  you." 

The  young  Carringtons,  too,  and  their  mother, 
preferred  the  old  way. 

So  Mr.  Daly's  kind  offer  was  declined  with 
thanks;  and  perhaps  he  was  not  sorry,  being 
weak  and  languid,  and  in  no  danger  of  suffering 
from  ennui  with  horses  to  ride  and  plenty  of  books 
at  hand. 

A  school-room  was  prepared,  but  only  the  Tra- 
villas  occupied  it,  Sophie  preferring  to  use  her 
dressing-room,  and  Eosie  studying  in  her  own  room, 
and  reciting  to  her  papa  in  his,  or  the  library. 

Elsie  expected  her  children  to  find  it  a  little  hard 
to  go  back  to  the  old  routine;  but  it  was  not  so. 
They  came  to  her  with  bright,  happy  faces,  were 
quiet  and  diligent,  and  when  the  recitations  were 
over  gathered  about  her  for  a  little  chat  before 
returning  to  their  play. 

"Mamma,"  said  Eddie,  "we've  had  a  nice  long 
holiday,  and  it's  really  pleasant  to  get  back  to 
lessons  again." 

"So  it  is!"  said  Vi.  "Don't  you  think  so, 
Elsie?" 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  297 

"  Yes,  indeed!  nice  to  get  back  to  our  books;  but 
we've  had  lessons  every  day,  grandpa,  and  papa,  and 
mamma  teaching  us  so  much  about  the  birds,  in- 
sects, and  all  sorts  of  living  things;  and  the  flowers 
and  plants,  trees,  stones,  and  oh,  I  don't  know  how 
many  things,  that  are  different  here  from  what  we 
have  at  home." 

"At  home!  Why,  this  is  home;  isn't  it,  mamma?" 
exclaimed  Eddie. 

"  Yes,  my  son,  one  of  our  homes." 

"  Yes,  and  so  beautiful,"  said  Vi; '"  but  Ion  'pears 
the  homest  to  me." 

"Does  it,  darling?"  asked  mamma,  giving  her 
a  smile  and  a  kiss. 

"Yes,  mamma;  and  I  love  Ion  dearly:  Viamede 
'most  as  well,  though,  because  you  were  born  here, 
and  your  dear  mamma." 

"And  because  that  dear  grandma  is  buried 
here, "  remarked  her  sister,  "  and  because  of  all 
those  dear  graves.  Mamma,  I  do  like  those  lessons 
I  was  speaking  of,  and  so  do  Eddie  and  Vi;  but 
Herbert  and  Meta  and  Harry  don't;  they  say  they 
think  them  very  stupid  and  dull." 

"  I  am  glad,  my  children,  that  you  love  knowl- 
edge," their  mother  said,  "  because  it  is  useful;  the 
more  knowledge  we  have  the  more  good  we  can  do, 
if  we  will. 

"  And  then  it  is  a  lasting  pleasure.  God's  works 
are  so  wonderful  that  we  can  never  learn  all  about 
them  while  we  live  in  this  world,  and  I  suppose 


298  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

throughout  the  endless  ages  of  eternity  we  shall 
be  ever  learning,  yet  always  finding  still  more  to 
learn." 

"  Mamma,  how  pleasant  that  will  be,"  said  Elsie 
thoughtfully. 

"  And  oh,  mamma! "  cried  Vi,  "  that  reminds  me 
that  we've  been  out  of  doors  'most  all  the  day- 
times, and  haven't  seen  grandma's  playroom  and 
things  yet.    Won't  you  show  them  to  us?  " 

"  Yes,  we  will  go  now." 

"Me  too,  mamma?"  asked  Harold. 

"Yes,  all  of  you  come.  I  want  you  all  to  see 
everything  that  I  have  that  once  belonged  to  my 
dear  mother." 

"  Aunt  Eosie  wants  to  see  them  too,"  said  Vi. 

"  And  Herbert  and  Meta  and  the  others,"  added 
Elsie. 

"  They  shall  see  them  afterwards.  I  want  no  one 
with  me  but  my  own  little  children  now,"  replied 
mamma,  taking  Harold's  hand,  and  leading  the 
way. 

She  led  them  to  the  room,  a  large  and  very  pleas- 
ant one,  light  and  airy,  where  flowers  were  blooming 
and  birds  singing,  vines  trailing  over  and  about  the 
windows,  lovely  pictures  on  the  walls,  cosy  chairs 
and  couches,  work-tables,  well  supplied  with  all  the 
implements  for  sewing,  others  suited  for  drawing, 
writing,  or  cutting  out  upon,  standing  here  and 
there,  quantities  of  books,  games,  and  toys;  nothing 
seemed  to  have  been  forgotten  that  could  give  picas- 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  299 

ant  employment  for  their  leisure  hours  or  minister 
to  their  amusement. 

There  was  a  burst  of  united  exclamations  of 
wondering  delight  from  the  children  as  the  door 
was  thrown  open  and  they  entered.  Now  they 
understood  why  mamma  had  put  them  off  when 
several  times  they  had  asked  to  be  brought  to  this 
room:  she  was  having  it  fitted  up  in  a  way  to  give 
them  a  joyful  surprise. 

"Do  you  like  it,  my  darlings?"  she  asked  with 
a  pleased  smile. 

"  Oh,  yes,  yes!  yes  indeed! "  they  cried,  jumping, 
dancing,  and  clapping  their  hands.  "Dear,  dear 
mamma,  how  good,  how  good  you  are  to  us! "  and 
they  nearly  smothered  her  with  caresses. 

Eeleasing  herself,  she  opened  another  door  lead- 
ing into  an  adjoining  room,  which,  to  Eddie's  in- 
creased delight,  was  fitted  up  as  a  workroom  for 
boys,  with  every  sort  of  tool  used  by  carpenters  and 
cabinetmakers.  He  had  such  at  Ion,  and  was  some- 
what acquainted  with  their  use. 

"  Oh,  what  nice  times  Herbert  and  Harry  and  I 
shall  have!"  he  exclaimed.  "What  pretty  things 
we'll  make!  Mamma,  I  don't  know  how  to  thank 
you  and  my  dear  father!"  he  added,  catching  her 
hand  and  pressing  it  to  his  lips  with  passionate 
affection. 

"  Be  good  and  obedient  to  us,  kind  and  affection- 
ate to  your  brothers,  sisters,  and  playmates,"  she 
said,  stroking  his  hair:  "that  is  the  kind  of  thanks 


300  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

we  want,  my  boy;  we  have  no  greater  joy  than  to 
see  our  children  good  and  happy." 

"If  we  don't  be,  it's  just  our  own  fault,  and 
we're  ever  so  wicked  and  bad! "  cried  Yi  vehe- 
mently. 

Mamma  smiled  at  her  little  girl's  impetuosity, 
then  in  grave,  tender  tones  said,  "  And  is  there  not 
Some  One  else  more  deserving  of  love  and  thanks 
than  even  papa  and  mamma?" 

"  God,  our  kind  heavenly  Father,"  murmured 
little  Elsie,  happy,  grateful  tears  shining  in  her 
soft  eyes. 

"  Yes,  it  is  from  his  kind  hand  all  our  blessings 
come." 

"I  love  God,"  said  Harold,  "and  so  does  Fank. 
Mamma,  can  Fank  come  up  here  to  play  wis  me?  " 

"Yes,  indeed;  Frank  is  a  dear,  good  little  boy, 
and  I  like  to  have  you  together." 

Mamma  unlocked  the  door  of  a  large  light  closet, 
as  she  spoke,  and  the  children,  looking  eagerly  in, 
saw  that  its  shelves  were  filled  with  beautiful  toys. 

"Grandma's  things!"  they  said  softly. 

"  Yes,  these  are  what  my  dear  mother  played  with 
when  she  was  a  little  girl  like  Elsie  and  Vi,"  said 
mamma.     "You  may  look  at  them." 

There  was  a  large  babyhouse,  beautifully  fur- 
nished; there  were  many  dolls  of  various  sizes,  and 
little  chests  and  trunks  full  of  nicely  made  clothes 
for  them  to  wear — night-clothes,  morning-wrappers, 
gay  silks,  and  lovely  white  dresses,  bonnets  and 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  301 

hats,  shoes  and  stockings  too,  and  ribbons  and 
laces,  for  the  lady  dolls;  and  for  the  gentlemen, 
coats,  hats,  vests,  cravats,  and  everything  that  real 
grown-up  men  wear;  and  for  the  baby  dolls  there 
were  many  suits  of  beautiful  baby  clothes;  and  all 
made  so  that  they  could  be  easily  taken  off  and  put 
on  again. 

There  were  cradles  to  rock  the  babies  in,  and 
coaches  for  them  to  ride  in;  there  were  dinner  and 
tea-sets  of  the  finest  china  and  of  solid  silver;  in- 
deed, almost  everything  in  the  shape  of  toys  that  the 
childish  heart  could  desire. 

The  lonely  little  girl  had  not  lacked  for  any 
pleasure  that  money  could  procure:  but  she  had 
hungered  for  that  best  earthly  gift — the  love  of 
father,  mother,  brothers,  and  sisters — which  can  be 
neither  bought  nor  sold. 

The  children  examined  all  these  things  with  in- 
tense interest  and  a  sort  of  wondering  awe,  then 
begged  their  mother  to  tell  them  again  about  "  dear 
grandma." 

They  had  heard  the  story — all  that  mamma  and 
mammy  could  tell — many  times,  but  it  never  lost 
its  charm. 

"  Yes,  dears,  I  will:  I  love  to  think  and  speak  of 
her,"  Elsie  said,  sitting  down  in  a  low  chair,  while 
they  all  gathered  closely  round  her,  the  older  two, 
one  on  each  side,  the  younger  ones  leaning  upon  her 
lap. 

"  Mamma,  it  is  a  sad  story;  but  I  love  it,"  little 


302  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

Elsie  said,  drawing  a  deep  sigh,  as  the  tale  came  to 
an  end. 

"  Yes,  poor  little  girl,  playing  up  here  all  alone," 
said  Eddie. 

"'Cept  mammy,"  corrected  Vi. 

"  Yes,  mammy  to  love  her  and  take  care  of  her, 
but  no  brother  or  sister  to  play  with,  and  no  dear 
mamma  or  papa  like  ours." 

"  Yes,  poor  dear  grandma! "  sighed  little  Elsie. 
"  And  it  was  almost  as  hard  for  you,  mamma,  when 
you  were  a  little  girl.    Didn't  you  feel  very  sad?  " 

"  Ah,  daughter,  I  had  Jesus  to  love  me,  and  help 
me  in  all  my  childish  griefs  and  troubles,"  the 
mother  answered,  with  a  glad  smile;  "  and  mammy 
to  hug,  and  kiss,  and  love  me,  just  as  she  does  you." 

"But,  oh,  didn't  you  want  your  mamma  and 
papa?" 

"  Yes,  sorely,  sorely  at  times;  but  I  think  no  little 
child  could  be  happier  than  I  was  when  at  last  my 
dear  father  came  home,  and  I  found  that  he  loved 
me  dearly.  Ah,  I  am  so  glad,  so  thankful,  that  my 
darlings  have  never  suffered  for  lack  of  love." 

"I  too,  mamma." 

"  And  I." 

"  And  I,"  they  exclaimed,  clinging  about  her  and 
loading  her  with  caresses. 

"  Hark! "  she  said,  "  I  hear  you  dear  grandpa's 
step,  and  there,  he  is  knocking  at  the  door." 

Eddie  ran  to  open  it. 

"Ah,  I  thought  I  should  find  you  here,  daughter/' 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  303 

Mr.  Dinsmore  said,  coming  in.  "%  too,  want  to 
see  these  things;  it  is  long  since  I  looked  at  them." 

She  gave  him  a  pleased  look  and  smile,  and  step- 
ping to  the  closet  he  stood  for  some  moments 
silently  gazing  upon  its  treasures. 

"You  do  well  to  preserve  them  with  care  as 
mementoes  of  your  mother,"  he  remarked,  coming 
back  and  seating  himself  by  her  side. 

"  Oh,  grandpa,  you  could  tell  us  more  about  her, 
and  dear  mamma  too,  when  she  was  a  little  girl! " 
said  little  Elsie,  seating  herself  upon  his  knee,  twin- 
ing her  arms  about  his  neck,  and  looking  coaxingly 
into  his  face. 

"  Ah,  what  a  dear  little  girl  your  mamma  was  at 
your  age! "  he  said,  stroking  her  hair,  and  gazing 
fondly  first  at  her  and  then  at  her  mother,  "the 
very  joy  of  my  heart  and  delight  of  my  eyes!  though 
not  dearer  than  she  is  now." 

Elsie  returned  the  loving  glance  and  smile,  while 
her  namesake  daughter  remarked,  "Mamma  couldn't 
be  nicer  or  sweeter  than  she  is  now — nobody  could." 

"No,  no!  no  indeed! "  chimed  in  the  rest  of  the 
little  flock.  "But,  grandpa,  please  tell  the  story. 
You  never  did  tell  it  to  us." 

"  No,"  he  said,  half  sighing,  "  but  you  shall  have 
it  now."  Then  went  on  to  relate  how  he  had  first 
met  their  mother's  mother,  then  a  very  beautiful 
girl  of  fifteen. 

An  acquaintance  took  him  to  call  upon  a  young 
lady  friend  of  his,  to  whom  Elsie  Grayson  was  pay- 


304  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

ing  a  visit,  and  the  two  were  in  the  drawing-room  to- 
gether when  the  young  men  entered. 

"  What  did  you  think  the  first  minute  you  saw 
her,  grandpa?  "  asked  Eddie. 

"  That  she  had  the  sweetest,  most  beautiful  face 
and  perfect  form  I  had  ever  laid  eyes  on,  and  that  I 
would  give  all  I  was  worth  to  have  her  for  my  own." 

"Love  at  first  sight,"  his  daughter  remarked, 
with  a  smile,  "  and  it  was  mutual." 

"  Yes,  she  told  me  afterward  that  she  had  loved 
me  from  the  first;  though  the  longer  I  live  the 
more  I  wonder  it  should  have  been  so,  for  I  was  a 
wild,  wayward  youth.  But  she,  poor  thing,  had 
none  to  love  or  cherish  her  but  her  mammy." 

"  Grandpa,  I  think  you're  very  nice,"  put  in  little 
Vi,  leaning  on  his  knee,  and  gazing  affectionately 
into  his  face. 

"  I'm  glad  you  do,"  he  said,  patting  her  soft  round 
cheek. 

"  But  to  go  on  with  my  story.  I  could  not  keep 
away  from  my  charmer,  and  for  the  next  few  weeks 
we  saw  each  other  daily. 

"I  asked  her  to  be  my  own  little  wife,  and  she 
consented.  Then  early  one  morning  we  went  to  a 
church  and  were  married;  no  one  being  present  ex- 
cept the  minister,  the  sexton,  and  her  friend  and 
mine,  who  were  engaged  to  each  other,  and  her 
faithful  mammy. 

"  Her  guardian  was  away  in  a  distant  city,  and 
knew  nothing  about  the  matter.    He  was  taken  sick 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  305 

there,  and  did  not  return  for  three  months,  and 
during  that  time  Elsie  and  I  lived  together  in  a 
house  she  owned  in  New  Orleans. 

"We  thought  that,  now  that  we  were  safely 
married,  no  one  could  ever  separate  us,  and  we  were 
very,  very  happy. 

"But  one  evening  her  guardian  came  suddenly 
upon  us,  as  we  sat  together  in  her  boudoir,  and  in 
a  great  passion  ordered  me  out  of  the  house. 

"Elsie  was  terribly  frightened,  and  I  said,  'I 
will  go  to-night  for  peace  sake;  but  Elsie  is  my  wife, 
and  to-morrow  I  shall  come  and  claim  her  as  such, 
and  I  think  you'll  find  I  have  the  law  on  my  side/ 
Elsie  clung  to  me  and  wept  bitterly;  but  I  comforted 
her  with  the  assurance  that  the  parting  was  only 
for  a  few  hours." 

Mr.  Dinsmore's  voice  faltered.  He  paused  a  mo- 
ment, then  went  on  in  tones  husky  with  emotion. 

"  We  never  saw  each  other  again.  When  I  went 
back  in  the  morning  the  house  was  closed  and  quite 
deserted;  not  even  a  servant  in  it,  and  I  knew  not 
where  to  look  for  my  lost  wife. 

"I  went  back  to  my  hotel,  and  there  found  my 
father  waiting  for  me  in  my  room.  He  was  very 
angry  about  my  marriage,  the  news  of  which  had 
brought  him  from  home.  He  made  me  go  back 
with  him  at  once,  and  sent  me  North  to  college.  I 
heard  nothing  of  my  wife  for  months,  and  then  only 
that  she  was  dead,  and  had  left  me  a  little 
daughter." 


306  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  And  that  was  our  mamma!  "  cried  the  children, 
once  more  crowding  about  her  to  lavish  caresses 
upon  her. 

They  thanked  their  grandfather  for  his  story,  and 
Vi,  looking  in  at  the  closet  door  again,  said  in  her 
most  coaxing  tones,  "  Mamma,  I  should  so,  so  like  to 
play  a  little  with  some  of  those  lovely  things;  and  I 
would  be  very  careful  not  to  spoil  them." 

"  Not  now,  daughter,  though  perhaps  I  may  allow 
it  some  day  when  you  are  older.  But  see  here!  will 
not  these  do  quite  as  well?" 

And  rising,  Mrs.  Travilla  opened  the  door  of 
another  closet,  displaying  to  the  children's  delighted 
eyes  other  toys  as  fine  and  in  as  great  profusion  and 
variety  as  those  she  considered  sacred  to  her 
mother's  memory. 

"  Oh,  yes,  yes,  mamma!  how  lovely!  how  kind  you 
are!  are  they  for  us?"  they  exclaimed  in  joyous 
tones. 

"Yes,"  she  said,  "I  bought  them  for  you  while 
we  were  in  New  Orleans,  and  you  shall  play  with 
them  whenever  you  like.  And  now  we  will  lock 
the  doors  and  go  down  to  dress  for  dinner.  The 
first  bell  is  ringing." 

After  dinner  the  playroom  and  the  contents  of 
the  two  closets  were  shown  to  Mrs.  Dinsmore,  Kosie, 
and  the  Carringtons:  then  Mrs.  Travilla  locked  the 
door  of  the  one  that  held  the  treasured  relics  of 
her  departed  mother,  and  carried  away  the  key. 


CHAPTEK  XXV. 

"  She'd  lift  the  teapot  lid 
To  peep  at  what  was  in  it, 
Or  tilt  the  kettle  if  you  did 
But  turn  your  back  a  minute. w 

Meta  Careington"  had  many  excellent  traits 
of  character;  was  frank,  generous,  unselfish,  and 
sincere;  but  these  good  qualities  were  offset  by  some 
very  serious  faults;  she  was  prying  and  full  of  desire 
for  whatever  was  forbidden. 

The  other  children  played  contentedly  with  the 
toys  provided  for  them;  but  Meta  secretly  nursed  a 
great  longing  for  those  Mrs.  Travilla  had  chosen  to 
withhold;  and  was  constantly  endeavoring  to  devise 
some  plan  by  which  to  get  possession  of  them. 

She  attempted  to  pick  the  lock  with  a  nail,  then 
with  a  knife,  but  failing  in  that,  seized  every  oppor- 
tunity of  doing  so  unobserved,  to  try  the  keys  from 
other  doors  in  different  parts  of  the  house,  till  at 
length  she  found  one  that  would  answer  her  pur- 
pose; then  she  watched  her  chance  to  use  it  in  the 
absence  of  her  mates. 

At  length  such  a  time  came.  The  ladies  had  all 
gone  out  for  an  airing,  the  little  ones,  too,  in  charge 
of  their  nurses,  Vi  and  the  boys  were  sporting  on  the 

307 


808  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD, 

lawn,  and  Elsie  was  at  the  piano  practicing;  cer- 
tain, faithful  little  worker  that  she  was,  not  to  leave 
it  till  the  allotted  hour  had  expired. 

Having  satisfied  herself  of  all  this,  Meta  flew  to 
the  playroom,  and  half  trembling  at  her  own  temer- 
ity, admitted  herself  to  the  forbidden  treasures. 

There  was  no  hesitancy  in  regard  to  her  further 
proceedings;  for  weeks  past  she  had  had  them  all 
carefully  arranged  in  her  mind;  she  would  have  a 
tea  party,  though  unfortunately  there  could  be  no 
guests  presents  but  the  dolls;  yet  at  all  events,  she 
could  have  the  great  pleasure  of  handling  that 
beautiful  china  and  silver,  and  seeing  how  a  table 
would  look  set  out  with  them.  A  pleasure  doubled 
by  the  fact  that  she  was  enjoying  it  in  opposition  to 
the  known  wishes  and  commands  of  her  mother  and 
the  owner;  for  in  Meta's  esteem  '  stolen  waters  were 
sweet '  indeed. 

She  selected  a  damask  table  cloth  from  a  pile  that 
lay  on  one  of  the  lower  shelves,  several  napkins  to 
match,  slipping  each  of  these  last  into  a  silver  ring 
taken  from  a  little  basket  that  stood  alongside,  and 
proceeded  with  quiet  glee  to  deck  a  table  with  them 
and  the  sets  of  china  and  silver  she  most  admired. 

"Beautiful!  beautiful!  I  never  saw  anything  so 
pretty! "  she  exclaimed  half  aloud,  as,  her  task 
finished,  she  stood  gazing  in  rapt  delight  at  the  re- 
sult of  her  labors.  "  Oh,  I  think  it's  real  mean  in 
Aunt  Elsie,  to  say  we  shan't  play  with  these,  and 
to  lock  them  up  away  from  us.    But  now  for  the 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  309 

company! "  and  running  into  the  closet  again,  she 
brought  out  several  of  the  largest  dolls. 

"Ill  dress  them  for  dinner,"  she  said,  still  talk- 
ing to  herself  in  an  undertone;  "that  '11  be  fun. 
What  lots  of  lovely  things  I  shall  find  in  these 
trunks;  I'll  look  them  over  and  select  what  I  like 
best  to  have  them  wear.  Fll  have  time  enough: 
it  isn't  at  all  likely  anybody  will  come  to  disturb 
me  for  an  hour."  And  as  she  opened  the  first  trunk 
she  glanced  hastily  at  the  clock  on  the  mantel. 

She  was  mistaken.  Time  flew  away  much  faster 
than  she  was  aware  of,  and  scarce  half  an  hour  had 
passed  when  a  pair  of  little  feet  came  dancing  along 
the  hall,  the  door — which  in  her  haste  and  pre- 
occupation Meta  had  forgotten  to  lock — flew  open, 
and  Vi  stood  before  her. 

The  great  blue  eyes,  turning  toward  the  table, 
opened  wide   with   astonishment.    "  Why,  Meta! " 

Meta's  face  flushed  deeply  for  a  moment,  but 
thinking  the  best  plan  would  be  to  brave  it  out, 
"  Isn't  it  pretty?  "  she  asked  unconcernedly. 

"Yes,  oh,  lovely!  but — where  did  you — aren't 
they  my  grandma's  things?  Oh,  Meta,  how  could 
you  ever  dare " 

"Pooh!  I'm  not  going  to  hurt  'em.  And  why 
should  you  think  they  were  hers?  Can't  other 
people  have  pretty  things?  " 

"Yes,  but  I  know  they're  grandma's,  I  rec — recog- 
nize them.  Oh,  what  shall  we  do?  I  wouldn't 
venture  to  touch  'em,  even  to  put  them  back." 


310  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  What  a  big  word  that  was  you  used  just  now," 
said  Meta,  laughing;  "  it  'most  choked  you." 

"  Well,  when  Fm  bigger  it  won't,"  returned  Vi, 
still  gazing  at  the  table.  "  Oh,  how  lovely  they  are! 
I  do  wish  mamma  would  let  us  play  with  them." 

"  So  do  I:  and  these  dolls  too.  It's  just  delightful 
to  dress  and  undress  them.  Here,  Vi,  help  me  put 
this  one's  shoes  on." 

The  temptation  to  handle  the  tiny,  dainty  shoes, 
and  see  how  well  they  fitted  the  feet  of  the  pretty 
doll,  was  great,  and  not  giving  herself  time  to  think, 
Violet  dropped  down  on  the  carpet  by  Meta's  side 
and  complied  with  the  request.  "  Just  to  slip  on 
those  lovely  shoes,  now  that  they  were  there  right 
before  her,  was  not  much,"  so  said  the  tempter: 
then,  "Now  having  done  a  little,  what  difference 
if  she  did  a  little  more?  " 

Thoughtless  and  excitable,  she  presently  forgot 
mamma  and  her  commands,  and  became  as  eagerly 
engaged  as  Meta  herself  in  the  fascinating  employ- 
ment of  looking  over  the  contents  of  the  trunks, 
trying  now  one,  now  another,  suit  upon  the  dollies. 

"  Now  this  one's  dressed,  and  I'll  set  her  up  to  the 
table,"  said  Meta,  jumping  up.    "  Oh,  my!  " 

Something  fell  with  a  little  crash  on  the  lid  of 
the  trunk  by  Vi's  side,  and  there  at  her  feet  lay  one 
of  the  beautiful  old  plates,  broken  in  a  dozen  pieces. 

The  child  started  up  perfectly  aghast,  the  whole 
extent  of  her  delinquency  flashing  upon  her  in  that 
instant.    "  Oh,  oh!  what  have  I  done!  what  a  wicked, 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  311 

wicked  girl  I  am!  what  will  mamma  say! "  And 
she  burst  into  an  agony  of  grief  ancl  remorse. 

"You  didn't  do  it,  nor  I  either/'  said  Meta; 
stooping  to  gather  up  the  fragments,  "  the  doll 
kicked  it  off.  There,  Vi,  don't  cry  so;  I'll  put  the 
things  all  back  just  as  they  were,  and  never,  never 
touch  one  of  them  again." 

"  But  you  can't;  because  this  one's  broken.  Oh, 
dear!  oh,  dear!  I  wish  you  had  left  them  alone,  Meta. 
I  wish  I'd  been  a  good  girl  and  obeyed  mamma! " 

"Never  mind;  if  she  goes  to  whip  you,  I'll  tell 
her  it  was  'most  all  my  fault.  But  she  needn't 
know:  it  won't  be  a  story  to  put  them  back  and  say 
nothing  about  it.  And  most  likely  it  won't  be  found 
out  for  years  and  years — maybe  never.  You  see,  I'll 
just  put  this  plate  between  the  others  in  the  pile, 
and  it  won't  be  noticed  at  all  that  it's  broken — un- 
less somebody  takes  them  all  down  to  look." 

"But  I  must  tell  mamma,"  sobbed  Violet.  "I 
couldn't  hide  it;  I  always  tell  her  everything;  and 
I'd  feel  so  wicked." 

"  Violet  Travilla,  I'd  never  have  believed  you'd 
be  so  mean  as  to  tell  tales,"  remarked  Meta 
severely.  "  I'd  never  have  played  with  you  if  I'd 
known  it." 

"  I'll  not;  I  didn't  mean  that.  I'll  only  tell  on 
myself." 

"But  you  can't  do  that  without  telling  on  me 
too,  and  I  say  it's  real  mean.  I'll  never  tell  a  story 
about  it,  but  I  don't  see  any  harm  in  just  setting 


312  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

the  things  away  and  saying  nothing.  'Taint  as  if 
you  were  throwing  the  blame  on  somebody  else," 
pursued  Meta,  gathering  up  the  articles  abstracted 
from  the  closet  and  replacing  them  as  nearly  as 
possible  as  she  had  found  them. 

"  Come,  dry  your  eyes,  Vi,"  she  went  on,  "  or 
somebody  '11  see  you've  been  crying,  and  ask  what  it 
was  about." 

"But  I  must  tell  mamma,"  reiterated  the  little 
girl,  sobbing  anew. 

"And  make  her  feel  worried  and  sorry  because 
the  plate's  broken,  when  it  can't  do  any  good,  and 
she  needn't  ever  know  about  it.  I  call  that  real 
selfishness." 

This,  to  Vi,  was  a  new  view  of  the  situation.  She 
stopped  crying  to  consider  it. 

It  certainly  would  grieve  mamma  to  know  that 
the  plate  was  broken,  and  perhaps  even  more  to 
hear  of  her  child's  disobedience,  and  if  not  told  she 
would  be  spared  all  that  pain. 

But  on  the  other  hand,  mamma  had  always  taught 
her  children  that  wrongdoing  should  never  be  con- 
cealed. The  longer  Vi  pondered  the  question  the 
more  puzzled  she  grew. 

Meta  perceived  that  she  wavered,  and  immedi- 
ately seized  her  advantage. 

"  Come  now,  Vi,  I'm  sure  you  don't  want  to  give 
pain  to  your  mamma,  or  to  get  me  into  trouble. 
Do  you?" 

"No,  Meta,  indeed  I  don't,  but " 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  313 

"Hush!  somebody's  coming,"  exclaimed  Meta, 
locking  the  closet  door,  having  just  finished  her 
work,  and  hastily  dropping  the  key  into  her  pocket. 

"Come,  girls,  come  quick!  we're  sending  up  a 
balloon  from  the  lawn!  "  cried  Eddie,  throwing  open 
the  door  to  make  his  announcement,  then  rushing 
away  again. 

The  girls  ran  after  him,  in  much  excitement,  and 
forgetting  for  the  time  the  trouble  they  were  in; 
for  spite  of  Meta's  sophistry  her  conscience  was  by 
no  means  easy. 

The  ladies  had  returned,  and  in  dinner  dress  were 
gathered  on  the  veranda.  Mr.  Travilla  seemed  to 
be  managing  the  affair,  with  Mr.  Dinsmore's  assist- 
ance, while  the  other  gentlemen,  children,  and  ser- 
vants   were  grouped  about  them  on  the  lawn. 

Meta  and  Violet  quickly  took  their  places  with 
the  rest,  and  just  at  that  moment  the  balloon,  re- 
leased from  its  fastenings,  shot  up  into  the  air. 

There  was  a  general  shout  and  clapping  of  hands, 
but  instantly  hushed  by  a  shrill,  sharp  cry  of  dis- 
tress from  overhead. 

"Oh!  oh!  pull  it  down  again!  pull  it  down!  pull 
it  down!  I  only  got  in  for  fun,  and  I'm  so  fright- 
ened!   I  shall  fall  out!    I  shall  be  killed!  oh!  oh! " 

The  voice  grew  fainter  and  fainter,  till  it  quickly 
died  away  in  the  distance,  as  the  balloon  rose  rapidly 
higher  and  higher  into  the  deep  blue  of  the  sky. 

A  wild  excitement  seized  upon  the  little  crowd. 

"Oh,  oh,  oh!  which  ob  de  chillins  am  up  dar?'* 


314  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

the  mammies  were  asking,  each  sending  a  hasty 
glance  around  the  throng  to  assure  herself  of  the 
safety  of  her  own  particular  charge. 

"Who  is  it?  who  is  it?"  asked  the  children,  the 
little  girls  beginning  to  sob  and  cry. 

"Oh,  it's  Fank!  it's  Fank! "  screamed  Harold. 
"  Papa,  papa,  please  stop  it  quick.  Fank,  don't  cry 
any  more:  papa  will  get  you  down.  Won't  you, 
papa?  "    And  he  clung  to  his  father's  arm,  sobbing. 

"  Son,  Frank  is  not  there,"  said  Mr.  Travilla, 
taking  the  little  weeper  in  his  arms.  "  There  is  no 
one  in  the  balloon;  it  is  not  big  enough  to  hold  even 
a  little  boy  like  you  or  Frank." 

"  Isn't  it,  papa  ?  "  returned  the  child,  dropping  his 
head  on  his  father's  shoulder  with  a  sigh  of  relief. 

"  Oh,  it's  Cousin  Eonald,  it's  just  Cousin  Ron- 
ald! "  exclaimed  the  children,  their  tears  changing 
at  once  to  laughter. 

"  Ah  ha,  ah  ha!  um  h'm,  um  h'm!  so  it  is,  bairnies, 
just  Cousin  Ronald  at  his  old  tricks  again,"  laughed 
Mr.  Lilburn. 

"  Oh,  there's  nobody  in  it;  so  we  needn't  care 
how  high  it  goes,"  cried  Eddie,  jumping,  and  clap- 
ping his  hands,  "  See!  see!  it's  up  in  the  clouds 
now,  and  doesn't  look  as  big  as  my  cap." 

"Not  half  so  big,  I  should  say,"  remarked  Her- 
bert.    "And  there,  it's  quite  gone." 

The  dinner  bell  rang,  and  all  repaired  to  the 
dining-room. 


CHAPTEK  XXVI. 

'*  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go;  and  when  he  18 
old  he  will  not  depart  from  it."— Prov&rbs,  xxii.  6. 

As  naturally  as  the  helianthus  to  the  sun,  did  the 
faces  of  Elsie's  little  ones  turn  to  her  when  in  her 
loved  presence.  At  the  table,  at  their  sports,  their 
lessons,  everywhere  and  however  employed,  it  was 
always  the  same,  the  young  eyes  turning  ever  and 
anon  to  catch  the  tender,  sympathetic  glance  of 
mamma's. 

But  at  dinner  to-day  Vi's  great  blue  orbs  met 
hers  but  once,  and  instantly  dropped  upon  her  plate 
again,  while  a  vivid  blush  suffused  the  fair  face 
and  neck. 

And  when  the  meal  was  ended  and  all  gathered  in 
the  drawing-room,  Vi  still  seemed  to  be  unlike  her 
usual  gay,  sunny  self,  the  merriest  prattler  of  all 
the  little  crowd  of  children,  the  one  whose  sweet 
silvery  laugh  rang  out  the  oftenest.  She  stood  alone 
at  a  side  table  turning  over  some  engravings,  but 
evidently  with  very  little  interest.  The  mother, 
engaged  in  conversation  with  the  other  ladies, 
watched  her  furtively,  a  little  troubled  and  anxious, 
yet  deeming  it  best  to  wait  for  a  voluntary  confi- 
dence on  the  part  of  her  child. 

315 


316  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOb. 

Longing,  yet  dreading  to  make  it,  Vi  was  again 
puzzling  her  young  brain  with  the  question  whether 
Meta  was  right  in  saying  it  would  be  selfish  to  do 
so.  Ah,  if  she  could  only  ask  mamma  which  was 
the  right  way  to  do!  This  was  the  first  perplexity 
she  had  not  been  able  to  carry  to  her  for  disen- 
tanglement. 

Eemembering  the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
"  Sanctify  them  through  thy  truth:  thy  word  is 
truth,"  Elsie  had  been  careful  to  store  her  chil- 
dren's minds  with  the  blessed  teachings  and  pre- 
cious promises  of  God's  Holy  Book.  She  had  also 
taught  them  to  go  to  God,  their  heavenly  Father, 
with  every  care,  sorrow,  doubt,  and  difficulty. 

"I'll  ask  Jesus,"  thought  Vi;  "he'll  help  me  to 
know,  because  the  Bible  says,  'If  any  of  you  lack 
wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God  that  giveth  to  all  men 
liberally  and  upbraideth  not;  and  it  shall  be  given 
him.' " 

She  slipped  into  an  adjoining  room,  where  she 
was  quite  alone,  and  kneeling  down,  whispered 
softly,  with  low  sobs  and  many  tears,  "  Dear  Father 
in  heaven,  I've  been  a  very,  very  naughty  girl;  I 
disobeyed  my  dear  mamma;  please  forgive  me  for 
Jesus'  sake,  and  make  me  good.  Please,  Lord  Jesus, 
help  me  to  know  if  I  ought  to  tell  mamma." 

A  text — one  of  the  many  she  had  learned  to  recite 
to  her  mother  in  that  precious  morning  half  hour — 
came  to  her  mind  as  she  rose  from  her  knees. 
*He  that  covereth  his  sins  shall  not  prosper:  but 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  817 

whoso  confe&seth  and  forsaketh  them  shall  have 
mercy." 

"I  didn't  cover  them/'  she  said  to  herself,  "I 
told  God:  but  then  God  knew  all  about  it  before; 
he  sees  and  knows  everything;  but  mamma  doesn't 
know.  Perhaps  it  means  I  mustn't  cover  them  from 
her.    I  think  Jesus  did  tell  me." 

Wiping  away  her  tears  she  went  back  into  the 
drawing-room.  The  gentlemen  were  just  leaving 
it,  her  father  among  the  rest.  A  sudden  resolution 
seized  her,  and  she  ran  after  them. 

"Papa!" 

He  turned  at  the  sound  of  her  voice.  "Well, 
daughter?" 

"  I — I  just  want  to  ask  you  something." 

"  Another  time  then,  pet,  papa's  in  a  hurry  now." 

But  seeing  the  distress  in  the  dear  little  face  he 
came  to  her,  and  laying  his  hand  on  her  head  in 
tender  fatherly  fashion,  said:  "Tell  papa  what  it 
is  that  troubles  you.    I  will  wait  to  hear  it  now." 

"Papa,"  she  said,  choking  down  a  sob,  "I — I 
don't  know  what  to  do." 

"  About  what,  daughter?  " 

"Papa,  s'pose  —  s'pose  I'd  done  something 
naughty,  and — and  it  would  grieve  dear  mamma  to 
hear  it;  ought  I  to  tell  her  and — and  make  her 
sorry?  " 

"  My  dear  little  daughter,"  he  said,  bending  down 
to  look  with  grave,  tender  eyes  into  the  troubled 
feee>   "never,   never   conceal   anything  from  your 


818  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

mother;  it  is  not  safe  for  you,  pet;  and  she  would 
far  rather  bear  the  pain  of  knowing.  If  our  chil- 
dren knew  how  much,  how  very  much,  we  both  love 
them,  they  would  never  hide  anything  from  us." 

"  Papa,  I  don't;  but — somebody  says  it  would  be 
selfish  to  hurt  mamma  so." 

"The  selfishness  was  in  doing  the  naughty 
thing,  not  in  confessing  it.  Go,  my  child,  and  tell 
mamma  all  about  it." 

He  hastened  away,  and  Violet  crept  back  to  the 
drawing-room. 

The  other  children  were  leaving  it.  "  Come,  Vi," 
they  said,  "we're  going  for  a  walk." 

"  Thank  you,  I  don't  wish  to  go  this  time,"  she 
answered  gravely.    "I've  something  to  attend  to." 

"  What  a  grown  up  way  of  talking  you  have,  you 
little  midget,"  laughed  Meta.  Then  putting  her 
lips  close  to  Vi's  ear,  "  Violet  Travilla,"  she  whis- 
pered, "  don't  you  tell  tales,  or  I'll  never,  never  play 
with  you  again  as  long  as  I  live." 

"My  mamma  says  it's  wicked  to  say  that,"  re- 
turned Vi,  "  and  I  don't  tell  tales." 

Then  as  Meta  ran  away,  Violet  drew  near  her 
mother's  chair. 

Mamma  was  talking,  and  she  must  not  interrupt, 
so  she  waited,  longing  to  have  the  confession  over, 
yet  feeling  her  courage  almost  fail  with  the  delay. 

Elsie  saw  it  all,  and  at  length  seized  an  oppor- 
tunity while  the  rest  were  conversing  among  them- 
selves, to  take  Vi's  hand,  and  draw  her  to  her  side. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD,  319 

WI  think  my  little  girl  has  something  to  say  to 
mother,"  she  whispered  softly,  smoothing  back  the 
clustering  curls,  and  looking  tenderly  into  the  tear- 
stained  face. 

Violet  nodded  assent;  her  heart  was  so  full  she 
could  not  have  spoken  a  word  without  bursting  into 
tears  and  sobs. 

Mamma  understood,  rose  and  led  her  from  the 
room;  led  her  to  her  own  dressing-room,  where  they 
could  be  quite  secure  from  intrusion.  Then  seating 
herself,  and  taking  the  child  on  her  lap,  "  What  is 
wrong  with  my  dear  little  daughter?"  she  asked. 

"Oh,  mamma,  mamma,  I'm  so  sorry,  so  sorry!" 
cried  the  child,  bursting  into  a  passion  of  tears  and 
sobs,  putting  her  arms  about  her  mother's  neck  and 
hiding  her  face  on  her  breast. 

"Mamma  is  sorry,  too,  dear,  sorry  for  anything 
that  makes  her  Vi  unhappy.  What  is  it?  what  can 
mother  do  to  comfort  you." 

*  Mamma,  I  don't  deserve  for  you  to  be  so  kind, 
and  you'll  have  to  punish,  'stead  of  comforting. 
But  I  just  want  to  tell  about  my  own  self;  you  know 
I  can't  tell  tales,  mamma." 

"  No,  daughter,  I  do  not  ask,  or  wish  it;  but  tell 
me  about  yourself." 

"  Mamma,  it  will  make  you  sorry,  ever  so  sorry." 

*  Yes,  dear,  but  I  must  bear  it  for  your  sake." 

"  Oh,  mamma,  I  don't  like  to  make  you  sorry!  I 
wish — I  wish  I  hadn't,  hadn't  been  naughty,  oh,  so 
naughty,  mamma!  for  I  played  with  some  of  your 


320  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

mamma's  things  that  you  forbade  us  to  touch,  and 
— and  one  lovely  plate  got  broken  all  up." 

"  I  am  very  sorry  to  hear  that,"  returned  the 
mother;  "yet  far  more  grieved  by  my  child's 
sin.  But  how  did  you  get  the  door  open  and  the 
plates  off  the  shelf?" 

"  I  didn't,  mamma;  they  were  out." 

"  Some  one  else  did  it?  " 

"  Yes,  mamma;  but  you  know  I  can't  tell  tales. 
It  wasn't  any  of  our  children,  though;  none  of  them 
were  naughty  but  just  me." 

"  Were  you  playing  with  the  plate?  did  you  break 
it?" 

"No,  mamma,  I  didn't  touch  the  plates,  but  I 
was  dressing  one  of  the  dollies.  They  are  all  locked 
up  again  now,  mamma,  and  I  don't  think  anybody 
will  touch  them  any  more." 

A  little  tender,  serious  talk  on  the  sin  and  danger 
of  disobedience  to  parents,  and  the  mother  knelt 
with  her  child,  and  in  a  few  simple  words  asked 
God's  forgiveness  for  her.  Then  telling  Vi  she 
must  remain  alone  till  bedtime,  she  left  her. 

Not  one  harsh  or  angry  word  had  been  spoken, 
and  the  young  heart  was  full  of  a  passionate  love  to 
her  mother  that  made  the  thought  of  having  grieved 
her  a  far  bitterer  punishment  than  the  enforced 
solitude,  though  that  was  at  any  time  irksome 
enough  to  one  of  Vi's  fun-loving  temperament. 

It  cost  the  mother  a  pang  to  inflict  the  punish- 
ment, and  leave  the  darling  alone  in  her  trouble; 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  321 

but  Elsie  was  not  one  to  weakly  yield  to  inclination 
when  it  came  in  conflict  with  duty.  Hers  was  not 
a  selfish  love;  she  would  bear  any  present  pain  to 
secure  the  future  welfare  of  her  children. 

She  rejoined  her  friends  in  the  drawing-room, 
apparently  as  serenely  happy  as  her  wont,  but 
through  all  the  afternoon  and  evening  her  heart 
was  with  her  little  one  in  her  banishment  and  grief, 
yearning  over  her  with  tenderest  mother-love. 

Little  Elsie,  too,  missed  her  sister,  and  returning 
from  her  walk,  went  in  search  of  her.  She  found 
her  at  last  in  their  mamma's  dressing-room  seated 
at  the  window,  her  cheek  resting  on  her  hand,  the 
tears  coursing  slowly  down,  while  her  eyes  gazed 
longingly  out  over  the  beautiful  fields  and  lovely 
orange  groves. 

"  Oh,  my  own  Vi,  my  darling  little  sister!  what's 
the  matter?  "  asked  Elsie,  clasping  her  in  her  arms, 
and  kissing  the  wet  cheek. 

A  burst  of  bitter  sobs,  while  the  small  arms  clung 
about  the  sister's  neck,  and  the  golden  head  rested 
for  an  instant  on  her  shoulder,  then  the  words,  "Ah, 
I'd  tell  you,  but  I  can't  now,  for  you  must  run  right 
away,  because  mamma  said  I  must  stay  here  all 
alone  till  bedtime." 

"  Then  I  must  go,  pet;  but  don't  cry  so:  if  you've 
been  naughty  and  are  sorry,  Jesus,  and  mamma 
too,  will  forgive  you  and  love  you  just  the  same," 
"Elsie  said,  kissing  her  again,  then  releasing  her, 
hurried  from  the  room,  crying  heartily  in  sympathy; 


322  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

On  the  upper  veranda,  whither  she  went  to  re- 
cover her  composure,  before  rejoining  her  mates,  she 
found  her  mother  pacing  slowly  to  and  fro. 

"Is  my  Elsie  in  trouble,  too?"  Mrs.  Travilla 
asked,  pausing,  and  holding  out  her  hand. 

"For  my  Vi,  mamma,"  sobbed  Elsie,  taking  the 
hand  and  pressing  it  to  her  lips. 

"Yes,  poor  little  pet!  mother's  heart  aches  for 
her  too,"  Mrs.  Travilla  answered,  her  own  eyes 
filling.  "I  am  glad  my  little  daughters  love  and 
sympathize  with  each  other." 

"Mamma,  I  would  rather  stay  with  Vi  than  be 
with  the  others.    May  I?" 

"No,  daughter,  I  have  told  her  she  must  spend 
the  rest  of  the  day  alone." 

"  Yes,  mamma,  she  told  me  so,  and  wouldn't  let 
me  stay  even  one  minute  to  hear  about  her  trouble." 

"  That  was  right." 

Time  crept  by  very  slowly  to  Violet.  She  thought 
that  afternoon  the  longest  she  had  ever  known. 
After  a  while  she  heard  a  familiar  step,  and  almost 
before  she  knew  it  papa  had  her  in  his  arms. 

With  a  little  cry  of  joy  she  put  hers  around  his 
neck  and  returned  the  kiss  he  had  just  given  her. 

"  Oh,  I'm  so  glad!  "  she  said,  "  but,  papa,  you'll 
have  to  go  away,  because  nobody  must  stay  with 
me;  I'm » 

"Papa  may,"  he  said,  sitting  down  with  her  on 
his  knee.  "  So  you  told  mamma  about  the  naughti- 
ness?" 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  323 

"Yes,  sir." 

H I  am  glad  you  did.  Always  tell  mamma  every- 
thing. If  yon  have  disobeyed  her,  never  delay  a 
moment  to  go  and  confess  it." 

"Yes,  papa:  but  if  it's  you?" 

"  Then  come  to  me  in  the  same  way.  If  you  want 
to  be  a  happy  child,  have  no  concealment  from 
father  or  mother." 

"  Shall  I  tell  you  about  it  now,  papa?  " 

"  You  may  do  as  you  like  about  that,  since  your 
mother  knows  it  all." 

"Papa,  Fm  afraid  you  wouldn't  love  such  a 
naughty  girl  any  more." 

"Mamma  loves  you  quite  as  well,  and  so  shall 
I;  because  you  are  our  own,  own  little  daughter. 
There  were  tears  in  mamma's  eyes  when  she  told 
me  that  she  had  had  to  punish  our  little  Vi." 

"Oh,  I'm  so  sorry  to  have  made  mamma  cry," 
sobbed  the  child. 

"  Sin  always  brings  sorrow  and  suffering  sooner 
or  later,  remember  that;  and  that  it  is  because  Jesus 
loves  us  that  he  would  save  us  from  our  sins." 

After  a  little  more  talk,  in  which  Violet  repeated 
to  him  the  same  story  of  her  wrongdoing  that  she 
had  already  told  her  mother,  her  papa  left  her,  and 
she  was  again  alone  till  mammy  came  with  her 
supper — a  bowl  of  rich  sweet  milk  and  bread  from 
the  unbolted  flour,  that  might  have  tempted  the 
appetite  of  an  epicure. 

"Come,  honey,   dry   dose  wet  eyes  an'  eat  yo' 


.324  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

supper/'  said  mammy,  setting  it  out  daintily  on  a 
(little  table  which  she  placed  before  the  child,  and 
-covered  with  a  fine  damask  cloth  fresh  from  the 
iron.  "  De  milk's  mos'  all  cream,  an'  de  bread  good 
-as  kin  be:  an'  yon  kin  hab  much  as  eber  you  want 
ot  both  ob  dem." 

"Did  mamma  say  so,  mammy?" 

"Yes,  chile;  an'  don't  shed  no  mo'  dose  tears 
now;  ole  mammy  lubs  you  like  her  life." 

"  But  I've  been  very  naughty,  mammy,"  sobbed 
the  little  girl. 

"Yes,  Miss  Wi'let,  honey:  an'  we's  all  been 
naughty,  but  de  good  Lord  f orgib  us  for  Jesus'  sake 
if  we's  sorry  an'  don't  'tend  neber  to  do  so  no  mo'." 

"  Yes,  mammy.  Oh,  I  wish  you  could  stay  with 
me!  but  you  mus'n't,  for  mamma  said  I  must  be 
all  alone." 

"Yes,  darlin';  an'  if  you  wants  mo'  supper,  jes 
ring  dis,  an'  mammy  '11  come." 

She  placed  a  small  silver  bell  on  the  table  be-> 
side  Vi,  and  with  a  tender,  compassionate  look  at 
the  tear-swollen  face  went  away. 

The  young  Travillas  were  sometimes  denied 
dainties  because  of  misconduct,  but  always  allowed 
to  satisfy  their  youthful  appetites  with  an  abun- 
dance of  wholesome,  nourishing  food. 

Vi  ate  her  supper  with  a  keen  relish,  and  found 
herself  greatly  comforted  by  it.  How  much  one's 
views  of  life  are  brightened  by  a  good  comfortable 
meal  that  does  not  overtax  the  digestive  organs. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  325 

Vi  suddenly  remembered  with  a  feeling  of  relief  that 
the  worst  of  her  trouble — the  confession — was  over, 
and  the  punishment  nearly  so. 

It  was  only  a  little  while  till  mamma  came,  took 
her  on  her  lap,  kissed  and  forgave  her. 

"Mamma,  I'm  so,  so  sorry  for  having  disobeyed 
and  grieved  you! n  whispered  the  child,  weeping 
afresh:  "  for  I  do  love  you  very,  very  much,  my  own 
mamma." 

"I  know  it,  dearest;  but  I  want  you  to  be  far 
more  sorry  for  having  disobeyed  God,  who  loves 
you  more,  a  great  deal,  than  your  parents  do,  and 
has  given  you  every  good  thing  you  have." 

"Yes,  mamma,  I've  asked  God  many  times  to 
forgive  me  for  Jesus'  sake,  and  I  think  he  has." 

"Yes,  if  you  asked  with  your  heart,  I  am  sure 
he  has;  for  Jesus  said,  c  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto 
you,  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the  Father  in  my 
name,  he  will  give  it  you.' " 

There  was  a  little  pause,  Vi  nestling  close  in  her 
mother's  arms;  then  with  a  quiver  in  her  voice, 
"Mamma,"  she  sighed,  "will  you  ever  trust  me 
again?" 

"Just  the  same  as  before,  my  child;  because  I 
believe  you  are  truly  sorry  for  your  sin  against 
God  and  against  me." 

"  Thank  you,  dear,  dear  mamma!  oh,  I  hope  God 
will  help  me  to  keep  from  ever  being  naughty  any; 


CHAPTER  XXVH. 
"  Conscience  makes  cowards  of  us  all.** 

Meta  was  not  in  a  cheerful  or  companionable 
mood  during  the  walk  that  afternoon;  the  stings 
of  conscience  goaded  her,  and  she  was  haunted  by 
the  fear  that  Violet,  so  young  and  innocent,  so 
utterly  unused  to  concealments,  would  betray  her 
share  in  the  mischief  done,  even  without  intending 
to  do  so. 

"Meta,  what's  the  matter  with  you?"  Herbert 
asked  at  length;  "you  haven't  spoken  a  pleasant 
word  since  we  came  out." 

"I'm  not  ill,"  was  the  laconic  reply. 

"Then  you  must  be  in  the  sulks,  and  ought  to 
have  stayed  at  home,"  returned  the  plain-spoken 
brother. 

"  Oh,  don't  tease  her,"  said  little  Elsie.  "  Per- 
haps she  has  a  headache,  and  I  know  by  myself  that 
that  makes  one  feel  dull,  and  sometimes  even  cross." 

"You  cross!  I  don't  believe  you  ever  were  in 
your  life,"  said  Herbert.  "  I've  never  seen  you  any 
thing  but  pleasant  as  a  May  morning." 

"Don't  quarrel,  children,  but  help  me  to  gather 
some  of  these  lovely  flowers  to  scatter  over  the 
graves  up  there  on  the  hill,"  said  Eosie  Dinsmore. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  327 

"  Our  graves,"  said  Eddie  softly.  "  Yes,  I'd  like 
to;  but,  Aunt  Rosie,  I  don't  believe  we  can  get  in." 

"  Yes,  we  can,"  she  answered.  "  Uncle  Joe's  up 
there  at  work,  weeding,  and  trimming  the  rose- 
bushes." 

"  Then  I'll  gather  plenty  of  these  beauties,"  said 
Eddie,  stooping  to  pluck  the  lovely,  many-hued 
blossoms  that  spangled  the  velvety  grass  at  their 
feet  in  every  direction. 

"How  beautiful!  how  beautiful  they  are!  and 
some  of  them  so  fragrant !  "  exclaimed  Elsie,  rapidly 
filling  a  pretty  basket  she  carried  in  her  hand. 
"How  good  God  is  to  give  us  so  many  lovely 
things!" 

"  Yes,"  returned  Eosie,  "  it  seems  a  pity  to  pluck 
them  from  their  stems  and  make  them  wither  and 
die;  but  there  is  such  a  profusion  that  what  we  take 
can  hardly  be  missed." 

"  And  it's  honoring  our  graves  to  scatter  flowers 
over  them,  isn't  it,  Aunt  Rosie?  "  Eddie  asked. 

"  Why  do  you  say  our  graves — just  as  if  you  were 
already  buried  there?"  laughed  Herbert. 

"Come,"  said  Rosie,  "I  think  we  have  enough 
now." 

"  Oh,  Aunt  Rosie_,  down  in  that  little  dell  yonder 
they  are  still  thicker  than  here,  and  more  beautiful, 
I  think."  exclaimed  Elsie. 

"But  we  have  enough  now;  your  basket  is  full. 
We'll  go  to  that  dell  as  we  come  back,  and  gather 
some  to  take  home  to  our  mammas." 


328  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"Oh,  yes,  that  will  be  best,"  Elsie  said,  with 
cheerful  acquiescence. 

"I  shall  go  now  and  get  some  worthy  to  honor 
the  dead,"  said  Meta,  starting  off  in  the  direction 
of  the  dell. 

"Meta  likes  to  show  her  independence,"  said 
Eosie,  smiling;  "we  won't  wait  for  her." 

They  climbed  the  hill,  pushed  open  the  gate  of 
the  little  enclosure  and  passed  in;  very  quietly,  for 
their  youthful  spirits  were  subdued  by  the  solemn 
stillness  of  the  place,  and  a  feeling  of  awe  crept 
over  them  at  thought  of  the  dead  whose  dust  lay 
sleeping  there. 

Silently  they  scattered  the  flowers  over  each 
lowly  resting  place,  reserving  the  most  beautiful  for 
that  of  her  who  was  best  known  to  them  all — the 
first  who  had  borne  the  name  of  Elsie  Dinsmore. 

"  Our  dear  grandma! "  whispered  Elsie  and 
Eddie   softly. 

"  I  can't  help  feeling  as  if  she  was  some  relation 
to  me  too,"  said  Eosie,  "  because  she  was  my  sister's 
mother,  and  papa's  wife." 

The  breeze  carried  the  words  to  the  ear  of 
Uncle  Joe,  who  was  at  work  on  the  farther  side  of 
the  enclosure,  and  had  not  till  that  moment  been 
aware  of  the  vicinity  of  the  young  people. 

He  rose  and  came  hobbling  toward  them,  pulling 
off  his  hat,  and  bowing  respectfully. 

"Dat's  so,  Miss  Eosie,  ef  you  lubs  de  Lord,  like 
she  did,  de  dear  young  missus  dat  lays  heyah;  for 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  329 

don't  de  'postle  say  ob  de  Lord's  ehillen  dat  dey's 
all  one  in  Christ  Jesus?  all  one,  Miss  Kosie:  heirs 
ob  God  and  joint  heirs  wid  Christ." 

"Yes,  Uncle  Joe,  that  is  true." 

"  Ah,  she  was  lubly,  an'  lubbed  de  Master  well," 
he  went  on,  leaning  upon  his  staff  and  gazing  fixedly 
at  the  name  engraved  on  the  stone.  "  She's  not 
dead,  ehillen:  her  soul's  wid  de  Lord  in  dat  land  ob 
light  an'  glory,  an'  de  body  planted  heyah  till  de 
mornin'  ob  de  resurrection." 

"And  then  she  will  rise  more  beautiful  than 
ever,"  said  little  Elsie.  "  Mamma  has  told  me  about 
it.    'The  dead  in  Christ  shall  rise  first.'" 

" i  Then  we  who  are  alive  and  remain  shall  be 
caught  up  together  with  them  in  the  clouds  to  meet 
the  Lord  in  the  air:  and  so  shall  we  ever  be  with  the 
Lord,' "  repeated  Rosie. 

"Yes,  Miss  Eosie.  Bressed  hope."  And  Uncle 
Joe  hobbled  back  to  his  work. 

"Here,  look  at  these!"  said  Meta  hurrying  up, 
heated  and  out  of  breath  with  running.  "Aren't 
they  beauties  ?  " 

She  emptied  her  apron  upon  the  grave  as  she 
spoke,  then  pulled  out  her  handkerchief  with  a  jerk, 
to  wipe  the  perspiration  from  her  face.  Something 
fell  against  the  tombstone  with  a  ringing,  metallic 
sound. 

"A  key!  a  door-key!"  cried  Herbert,  stooping 
to  pick  it  up.  "Why,  Meta,  what  key  is  it?  and 
what  are  you  doing  with  it?" 


330  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"  I  never  heard  that  it  had  any  particular  name/' 
she  answered  tartly,  snatching  it  from  him  and  re- 
storing it  to  her  pocket,  while  her  cheeks  flushed 
crimson. 

The  others  exchanged  surprised  glances,  but  said 
nothing. 

"But  what  door  does  it  belong  to?  and  what  are 
you  doing  with  it?  "  persisted  Herbert. 

"Talk  of  the  curiosity  of  women  and  girls!" 
sneered  Meta:  "men  and  boys  have  quite  as 
much;  but  it's  against  my  principles  to  gratify  it." 

"Your  principles!"  laughed  Herbert.  "You, 
prying,  meddling  Meta,  talking  about  other  people's 
curiosity!     Well,  that's  a  good  one! " 

"You  insulting  boy!  I'll  tell  mamma  of  you," 
retorted  Meta,  beginning  to  cry. 

"Ha!  ha!  I  wish  you  would!  tell  her  my  re- 
marks about  the  key,  and  she'll  soon  make  you  ex- 
plain where  it  belongs,  and  how  it  came  into  your 
possession." 

At  that  Meta,  deigning  no  reply,  put  her  hand- 
kerchief to  her  eyes  and  hurried  away  toward  the 
house. 

"There,  she's  gone  to  tell  mamma,"  said  Harry. 

"Not  she,"  said  Herbert,  "she  knows  better: 
she'd  only  get  reproved  for  telling  tales,  and  be 
forced  to  tell  all  about  that  key.  She's  been  at 
some  mischief,  I  haven't  a  doubt:  she's  always  pry- 
ing, and  meddling  with  what  she's  been  told  not  to 
touch.    Mamma  says  that's  her  besetting  sin." 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  831 

"And  what  does  she  say  is  yours ?"  asked  Eosie, 
looking  him  steadily  in  the  eye. 

Herbert  colored  and  turned  away. 

His  mother  had  told  him  more  than  once  or  twice, 
that  he  was  quite  too  much  disposed  to  domineer 
over  and  reprove  his  younger  brother  and  sisters. 

"Well,  I  don't  care!"  he  muttered  to  himself, 
"'tisn't  half  so  mean  a  fault  as  Meta's.  I'm  the 
oldest,  and  Harry  and  the  girls  ought  to  be  willing 
to  let  me  tell  them  of  it  when  they  go  wrong." 

The  key,  which  belonged  to  a  closet  in  Mr.  Lil- 
burn's  dressing-room,  seemed  to  burn  in  Meta's 
pocket.  She  was  frightened  that  Herbert  and  the 
others  had  seen  it. 

u  They  all  looked  as  if  they  knew  something  was 
wrong,"  she  said  to  herself.  "  And  to  be  sure,  what 
business  could  I  have  with  a  door-key!  Dear  me! 
why  wasn't  I  more  careful.  But  it's  like  '  murder 
will  out; '  or  what  the  Bible  says,  *  Be  sure  your  sin 
will  find  you  out.'" 

She  was  afraid  to  meet  her  mother  with  the  key 
in  her  possession,  so  took  so  circuitous  a  route  to 
reach  the  house,  and  walked  so  slowly,  that  the 
others  were  there  some  time  before  her. 

Her  mother  was  on  the  veranda  looking  out  for 
her.  "Why,  how  late  you  are,  Meta,"  she  said. 
"Make  haste  to  your  room,  and  have  your  hair 
and  dress  made  neat;  for  the  tea-bell  will  soon 
ring." 

"  Yes,  ma'am,"  and  Meta  flew  into  the  house  and 


332  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

up  to  her  room,  only  too  glad  of  an  excuse  for  not 
stopping  to  be  questioned. 

She  was  down  again  barely  in  time  to  take  her 
seat  at  the  table  with  the  others.  She  glanced  fur- 
tively at  the  faces  of  her  mother,  grandmother, 
and  Aunt  Elsie,  and  drew  a  sigh  of  relief  as  she 
perceived  that  they  had  evidently  learned  nothing 
yet  of  her  misconduct. 

After  tea  she  watched  Mr.  Lilburn's  movements, 
and  was  glad  to  see  him  step  into  the  library,  seat 
himself  before  the  fire,  and  take  up  a  book. 

"  He's  safe  to  stay  there  for  awhile,"  she  thought, 
"so  fond  of  reading  as  he  is,"  and  ran  up  to  her 
room  for  the  key,  which  she  had  left  there  hidden 
under  her  pillow. 

She  secured  it  unobserved,  and  stole  cautiously 
to  the  door  of  his  dressing-room.  She  found  it 
slightly  ajar,  pushed  it  a  little  wider  open,  crept  in, 
gained  the  closet  door,  and  was  in  the  act  of  putting 
the  key  into  the  lock  when  a  deep  groan,  coming 
from  within  the  closet  apparently,  so  startled  her 
that  she  uttered  a  faint  cry  and  dropped  the  key( 
on  the  floor;  then  a  hollow  voice  said,  "  If  you  ever 
touch  that  again,  I'll " 

But  Meta  waited  to  hear  no  more;  fear  seemed 
to  lend  her  wings,  and  she  flew  from  the  room  in 
a  panic  of  terror. 

"  Ah  ha!  ah  ha!  um  h'm!  ah  ha!  you  were  at  some 
mischief,  no  doubt,  my  lassie.  'The  wicked  flee 
when  no  man  pursueth,'  the  good  Book  tells  us," 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  333 

said  the  occupant  of  the  room,  stepping  out  from 
the  shadow  of  the  window-curtain. 

He  had  laid  down  his  book  almost  immediately, 
Temembering  that  he  had  some  letters  to  write,  and 
had  come  up  to  his  apartments  in  search  of  one  he 
wished  to  answer. 

It  was  already  dark,  except  for  the  light  of  a 
young  moon,  but  by  some  oversight  of  the  servants 
the  lamps  had  not  yet  been  lighted  here. 

He  was  feeling  about  for  matches,  when  hearing 
approaching  footsteps  he  stepped  behind  the  cur- 
tain, and  waited  to  see  who  the  intruder  was. 

He  recognized  Meta's  form  and  movements,  and 
sure  that  no  legitimate  errand  had  brought  her 
there  at  that  time,  resolved  to  give  her  a  fright. 

Tearing  down  the  hall,  Meta  suddenly  encoun- 
tered her  mother,  who,  coming  up  to  her  own  apart- 
ments, had  reached  the  head  of  the  stairs  just  in 
time  to  witness  Meta's  exit  from  those  of  Mr. 
Lilburn. 

"  Oh,  I'm  so  frightened!  so  frightened,  mamma! " 
cried  the  child,  throwing  herself  into  her  mother's 
arms. 

"As  your  richly  deserve  to  be,"  said  Mrs.  Car- 
rington,  taking  her  by  the  hand  and  leading  her 
into  her  dressing-room.  "  What  were  you  doing  in 
Mr.  Lilburn's  apartments?" 

Meta  hung  her  head  in  silence. 

"  Speak,  Meta;  I  will  have  an  answer,"  her  mother 
said,  with  determination. 


334  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

"I  wasn't  doing  any  harm;  only  putting  away 
something  that  belonged  there." 

"What  was  it?" 

"A  key." 

"Meddling  again!  prying  even  into  the  affairs 
of  a  strange  gentleman! "  groaned  her  mother. 
"Meta,  what  am  I  to  do  with  you?  this  dreadful 
fault  of  yours  mortifies  me  beyond  everything.  I 
feel  like  taking  you  back  to  Ashlands  at  once,  and 
never  allowing  you  to  go  from  home  at  all,  lest 
you  should  bring  a  life-long  disgrace  upon  yourself 
and  me." 

"  Mother,  I  wasn't  prying  or  meddling  with  Mr. 
Lilburn's  affairs,"  said  Meta,  bursting  into  sobs  and 
tears. 

"What  were  you  doing  there?  tell  me  all  about 
it,  without  any  more  ado." 

Knowing  that  her  mother  was  a  determined 
woman,  and  seeing  that  there  was  now  no  escape 
from  a  full  confession,  Meta  made  it. 

Mrs.  Carrington  was  much  distressed. 

"Meta,  you  have  robbed  your  Aunt  Elsie,  your 
Aunt  Elsie  who  has  always  been  so  good,  so  kind 
to  me  and  to  you:  and  I  can  never  make  good  her 
loss;  never  replace  that  plate." 

"Just  that  one  tiny  plate  couldn't  be  worth  so 
very  much,"  muttered  the  offender. 

"It's  intrinsic  value  was,  perhaps,  not  very 
great,"  replied  Mrs.  Carrington,  "but  to  my  dear 
friend  it  was  worth  much  as  a  memento  of  her  dead 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  335 

mother.  Meta,  you  shall  not  go  with  us  to-morrow, 
but  shall  spend  the  day  locked  up  in  your  own  room 
at  home." 

An  excursion  had  been  planned  for  the  next  day, 
in  which  the  whole  party,  adults  and  children, 
were  to  have  a  share.  They  were  to  leave  at  an 
early  hour  in  the  morning,  travel  several  miles  by 
boat,  and  spend  the  day  picnicking  on  a  deserted 
plantation — one  Meta  had  not  yet  seen,  but  had 
heard  spoken  of  as  a  very  lovely  place. 

She  had  set  her  heart  on  going,  and  this  decree 
of  her  mother  came  upon  her  as  a  great  blow.  She 
was  very  fond  of  being  on  the  water,  and  of  seeing 
new  places,  and  had  pictured  to  herself  the  delights 
of  roaming  over  the  large  old  house,  which  she  had 
heard  was  still  standing,  peeping  into  the  closets, 
pulling  open  drawers,  perhaps  discovering  secret 
stairways  and — oh,  delightful  thought! — possibly 
coming  upon  some  hidden  treasure  forgotten  by  the 
owners  in  their  hasty  flight. 

She  wept  bitterly,  coaxed,  pleaded,  and  made  fair 
promises  for  the  future,  but  all  in  vain.  Her  mother 
was  firm. 

"  You  must  stay  at  home,  Meta/'  she  said.  "  It 
grieves  me  to  deprive  you  of  so  great  a  pleasure, 
but  I  must  do  what  I  can  to  help  you  to  overcome 
this  dreadful  fault.  You  have  chosen  stolen  pleas- 
ures at  the  expense  of  disobedience  to  me,  and  most 
ungrateful,  wicked  behavior  toward  my  kind  friend; 
and  as  a  just  and  necessary  punishment  you  nrast 


336  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

be  deprived  of  the  share  you  were  to  have  had  in 
the  innocent  enjoyments  planned  for  to-morrow. 
You  shall  also  make  a  full  confession  to  your  Aunt 
Elsie,  and  ask  her  forgiveness." 

"  I  won't! "  exclaimed  Meta  angrily;  then  catch- 
ing the  look  of  pained  surprise  in  her  mother's 
face,  she  ran  to  her,  and  throwing  her  arms  about 
her  neck,  "  Oh,  mamma!  mamma!  forgive  me! "  she 
cried.  "  I  can't  bear  to  see  you  look  so  grieved:  I 
will  never  say  that  again;  I  will  do  whatever  you  bid 
me." 

Mrs.  Carrington  kissed  her  child  in  silence,  then 
taking  her  by  the  hand,  *  Come  and  let  us  have  this 
painful  business  over,"  she  said,  and  led  the  way  to 
Mrs.  Travilla's  boudoir. 

Elsie  had  no  reproaches  for  Meta,  but  kindly  for- 
gave her,  and  even  requested  that  she  might  be  per- 
mitted to  share  in  the  morrow's  enjoyment,  but 
Mrs.  Carrington  would  not  hear  of  it. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Nature  I'll  court  iu  her  sequester'd  haunts, 

By  mountain,  meadow,  streamlet,  grove,  or  cell. 

— Smollet. 

Ms.  Dinsmoke  was  pacing  the  front  veranda,  en- 
joying the  cool,  fresh  morning  air,  when  little  feet 
came  pattering  through  the  hall,  and  a  sweet  child 
voice  hailed  him  with,  "  Good-morning,  my  dear 
grandpa." 

"  Ah,  grandpa's  little  cricket,  where  were  you 
last  evening?"  he  asked,  sitting  down  and  taking 
her  on  his  knee. 

It  was  his  pet  name  for  Vi,  because  she  was  so 
merry. 

The  fair  face  flushed,  but  putting  her  arms  about 
his  neck,  her  lips  to  his  ear,  "I  was  in  mamma's 
dressing-room,  grandpa,"  she  whispered.  "I  was 
'bKged  to  stay  there,  'cause  I'd  been  naughty  and 
disobeyed  mamma." 

"Ah,  I  am  sorry  to  hear  that!  but  I  hope  you 
don't  intend  to  disobey  any  more." 

"No,  indeed,  grandpa." 

"  Are  you  considered  good  enough  to  go  with  us 
to-day?  " 

"  Yes,  grandpa,  mamma  says    I    was    punished 

337 


338  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

yesterday,  and  I  don't  be  punished  twice  for  the 
same  thing." 

"  Mamma  is  quite  right/'  he  said,  "  and  grandpa 
is  very  glad  she  allows  you  to  go." 

"I  don't  think  I  deserve  it,  grandpa,  but  she's 
such  a  dear,  kind  mamma." 

"  So  she  is,  pet,  and  I  hope  you  will  always  be  a 
dear  good  daughter  to  her,"  said  grandpa,  holding 
the  little  face  close  to  his. 

Meta  was  not  allowed  to  come  down  to  breakfast. 
Vi  missed  her  from  the  table,  and  at  prayers,  and 
going  up  to  Mrs.  Carrington,  asked,  "  Is  Meta  sick, 
Aunt  Sophie?  " 

"  No,  dear,  but  she  has  been  too  naughty  to  be 
with  us.  I  have  said  she  must  stay  in  her  own  room 
all  day." 

"And  not  go  to  the  picnic?  Oh,  please  let  her 
go,  auntie! " 

The  other  children  joined  their  entreaties  to  Vi's, 
but  without  avail;  and  with  streaming  eyes,  Meta, 
at  her  window,  saw  the  embarkation,  and  watched 
the  boats  glide  away  till  lost  to  view  in  the  distance. 

"  Too  bad! "  she  sobbed,  "  it's  too,  too  bad  that 
I  must  stay  here  and  learn  long  hard  lessons  while 
all  the  rest  are  having  such  a  good  time! " 

Then  she  thought  remorsefully  of  her  mother's 
sad  look,  as  she  bade  her  good-bye,  and  said  how 
sorry  she  was  to  be  obliged  to  leave  her  behind,  and 
as  some  atonement  set  to  work  diligently  at  her 
tasks. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  339 

The  weather  was  very  fine,  the  sun  shone,  the 
birds  filled  the  air  with  melody,  and  a  delicious 
breeze  danced  in  the  tree-tops,  rippled  the  water, 
and  played  with  the  brown  and  golden  ringlets  of 
little  Elsie  and  Vi,  and  the  flaxen  curls  of  Daisy 
Carrington. 

The  combined  influences  of  the  clear,  pure  air, 
the  pleasant  motion,  as  the  rowers  bent  to  their 
oars,  and  the  lovely  scenery  meeting  the  eye  at 
every  turn,  were  not  to  be  resisted;  and  all,  old  and 
young,  were  soon  in  great  spirits.  They  sang 
songs,  cracked  jokes,  told  anecdotes,  and  were  alto- 
gether a  very  merry  company. 

After  a  delightful  row  of  two  hours  or  more  the 
rounding  of  a  point  brought  suddenly  into  view  the 
place  of  their  destination. 

The  boats  were  made  fast  and  the  party  stepped 
ashore,  followed  by  the  men  servants  bearing  rugs 
and  wraps,  and  several  large  well-filled  hampers 
of  provisions. 

With  joyous  shouts  the  children  ran  hither  and 
thither;  the  boys  tumbled  on  the  grass,  the  girls 
gathered  great  bouquets  of  the  beautiful  flowers, 
twisted  them  in  their  curls,  and  wove  garlands  for 
their  hats. 

"Walk  up  to  de  house,  ladies  an'  gentlemen; 
massa  and  missus  not  at  home  now,  but  be  berry 
glad  to  see  you  when  dey  gets  back,"  said  a  pleasant 
voice  close  at  hand. 

All    but    Mr.    Lilburn    looked    about    for    the 


340  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

speaker,  wondered  at  seeing  no  one,  then  laughed 
at  themselves  for  being  so  often  and  so  easily- 
deceived. 

"Suppose  we  accept  the  invitation,"  said  Mr. 
Travilla,  leading  the  way. 

The  two  old  ladies  preferred  a  seat  under  a  wide- 
spreading  tree  on  the  lawn;  but  the  others  accom- 
panied him  in  a  tour  of  the  deserted  mansion,  al- 
ready falling  rapidly  to  decay. 

They  climbed  the  creaking  stairs,  passed  along 
the  silent  corridors,  looked  into  the  empty  rooms, 
and  out  of  the  broken  windows  upon  the  flower 
gardens,  once  trim  and  gay,  now  choked  with  rub- 
bish, and  overgrown  with  weeds,  and  sighed  over  the 
desolations  of  war. 

Some  of  the  lower  rooms  were  still  in  a  pretty 
good  state  of  preservation,  and  in  one  of  these  the 
servants  were  directed  to  build  a  fire  and  prepare 
tea  and  coffee. 

Plenty  of  dry  branches  strewed  the  ground  in  a 
bit  of  woods  but  a  few  rods  distant.  Some  of  these 
were  quickly  gathered,  and  a  brightly  blazing  fire 
presently  crackled  upon  the  hearth,  and  roared  up 
the  wide  chimney. 

Leaving  the  house,  which  in  its  loneliness  and 
dilapidation  inspired  only  feelings  of  sadness  and 
gloom,  our  party  wandered  over  the  grounds,  which 
were  still  beautiful  even  in  their  forlornly  neglected 
state. 

The  domain  was  extensive,   and   the  older  boys 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  341 

having  taking  an  opposite  direction  from  their 
parents,  were  presently  out  of  their  sight  and  hear- 
ing, the  house  being  directly  between.  Uncle  Joe, 
however,  was  with  the  lads,  so  no  anxiety  was  felt 
for  their  safety. 

Wandering  on,  they  came  to  a  stream  of  limpid 
water  flowing  between  high  grassy  banks,  and 
spanned  by  a  little  rustic  bridge. 

"Let's  cross  over,"  said  Herbert,  "that's  such 
a  pretty  bridge,  and  it  looks  lovely  on  the  other 
side." 

"  No,  no,  'tain't  safe,  boys,  don't  you  go  for  to 
try  it,"  exclaimed  Uncle  Joe. 

"Pooh!  what  do  you  know  about  it?**  returned 
Herbert,  who  always  had  great  confidence  in  his 
own  opinion.  "If  it  won't  bear  us  all  at  once,  it 
certainly  will  one  at  a  time.  What  do  you  say, 
Ed?" 

"  I  think  Uncle  Joe  can  judge  better  whether  it's 
safe  than  little  boys  like  us." 

"Don't  you  believe  it:  his  eyes  are  getting  old, 
and  he  can't  see  half  so  well  as  you  or  I." 

"  I  kin  see  dat  some  ob  de  planks  is  gone,  Marse 
Herbert;  an'  de  ole  timbahs  looks  shaky." 

"Shaky!  nonsense!  they'll  not  shake  under  my 
weight,  and  I'm  going  to  cross." 

"  Now,  Herbie,  don't  you  do  it,"  said  his  brother. 
"You  know  mamma  wouldn't  allow  it  if  she  was 
here." 

"'Twon't  be  disobedience,  though,  as  she  isn't 


342  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

here,  and  never  has  forbidden  me  to  go  on  that 
bridge,"  persisted  Herbert. 

"Mamma  and  papa  say  that  truly  obedient 
children  don't  do  what  they  know  their  parents 
would  forbid  if  they  were  present,"  said  Eddie. 

"I  say  nobody  but  a  coward  would  be  afraid  to 
venture  on  that  bridge,"  said  Herbert,  ignoring 
Eddie's  last  remark.  "  Suppose  it  should  break  and 
let  you  fall!  the  worst  would  be  a  ducking." 

"De  watah's  deep,  Marse  Herbert,  and  you 
might  git  drownded!  "  said  Uncle  Joe.  "  Or  maybe 
some  ob  de  timbahs  fall  on  you  an'  break  yo'  leg 
or  yo'  back." 

They  were  now  close  to  the  bridge. 

"  It's  very  high  up  above  the  water,"  said  Harry, 
"  and  a  good  many  boards  are  off:  I'd  be  afraid  to 
go  on  it." 

"  Coward! "  sneered  his  brother.  "  Are  you 
afraid  too,  Ed?" 

"Yes,  I'm  afraid  to  disobey  my  father;  because 
that's  disobeying  God." 

"  Did  your  father  ever  say  a  word  about  not  going 
on  this  bridge?  " 

"No;  but  he's  told  me  never  to  run  into  danger 
needlessly;  that  is,  when  there's  nothing  to  be  gained 
by  it  for  myself  or  anybody  else." 

"Before  I'd  be  such  a  coward!"  muttered 
Herbert,  deliberately  walking  on  to  the  bridge. 

The  other  two  boys  watched  his  movements  in 
trembling,  breathless  silence,  while  Uncle  Joe  began 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD,  343 

looking  about  for  some  means  of  rescue  in  case  of 
accident. 

Herbert  picked  his  way  carefully  over  the  half- 
rotten  timbers  till  he  had  gained  the  middle  of  the 
bridge,  then  stopped,  looked  back  at  his  companions 
and  pulling  off  his  cap,  waved  it  round  his  head* 
"  Hurrah!  here  I  am:  who's  afraid?  who  was  right 
this  time?" 

Then  leaning  over  the  low  railing,  "  Oh!  *  he 
cried,  "  you  ought  just  to  see  the  fish!  splendid  big 
fellows.     Come  on,  boys,  and  look  at  'em! " 

But  at  that  instant  the  treacherous  railing  gave 
way  with  a  loud  crack,  and  with  a  wild  scream  for 
help,  over  he  went,  headforemost,  falling  with  a 
sudden  plunge  into  the  water,  and  disappearing  at 
once  beneath  the  surface. 

"  Oh,  he'll  drown!  he'll  drown! "  shrieked  Harry, 
wringing  his  hands,  while  Eddie  echoed  the  cry  for 
help. 

"  Eun  to  de  house,  Marse  Ed,  an'  f otch  some  ob 
de  boys  to  git  him  out,"  said  Uncle  Joe,  hurrying  to 
the  edge  of  the  stream  with  an  old  fishing-rod  he 
had  found  lying  among  the  weeds  on  its  bank. 

But  a  dark  object  sprang  past  him,  plunged  into 
the  stream,  and  as  Herbert  rose  to  the  surface, 
seized  him  by  the  coat-collar,  and  so  holding  his 
head  above  the  water,  swam  with  him  quickly  to  the 
shore. 

"  Good  Bruno!  brave  fellow!  good  dog! "  said  a 
voice  near  at  hand,  and  turning  to  look  for  the 


244  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

epeakef,  Uncle  Joe  found  Mr.  Daly  standing  by  his 
side. 

Leaving  his  gayer  companions,  the  minister  had 
wandered  away,  book  in  hand,  to  this  sequestered 
spot.  Together  he  and  Uncle  Joe  assisted  the  dog 
to  drag  Herbert  up  the  bank,  and  laid  him  on  the 


The  fall  had  stunned  the  boy,  but  now  conscious- 
ness returned.  "I'm  not  hurt,"  he  said,  opening 
his  eyes.  "  But  don't  tell  mother:  she'd  be  fright- 
ened half  to  death." 

"  We'll  save  her  as  much  as  we  can;  and  I  hope 
you've  learned  a  lesson,  young  sir,  and  will  not  be 
so  foolhardy  another  time,"  said  Mr.  Daly. 

"P'raps  he'll  tink  ole  folks  not  such  fools,  nex' 
time,"  remarked  Uncle  Joe.  "Bress  de  Lord  dat 
he  didn't  get  drownded! " 

The  men  and  boys  came  running  from  the  house, 
bringing  cloaks  and  shawls  to  wrap  about  the  drip- 
ping boy.  They  would  have  carried  him  back  with 
them,  but  he  stoutly  resisted,  declaring  himself 
quite  as  able  to  walk  as  anybody. 

"  Let  him  do  so,  the  exercise  will  help  to  prevent 
his  taking  cold,  provided  he  is  well  wrapped  up, " 
said  Mr.  Daly,  throwing  a  cloak  over  the  lad's 
shoulders,  and  folding  it  carefully  about  him. 

"Ill  news  flies  fast,"  says  the  proverb.  Mrs. 
Carrington  met  them  upon  the  threshold,  pale  and 
trembling  with  affright.  She  clasped  her  boy  in 
her  arms  with  a  heart  too  full  for  utterance. 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  345 

"Never  mind,  mother,"  he  said;  "I've  only  had 
a  ducking,  that's  all." 

"But  it  may  not  be  all:  you  may  get  your  death 
of  cold,"  she  said;  "I've  no  dry  clothes  for  you 
here." 

By  this  time  the  whole  party  had  hurried  to  the 
spot. 

"  Here's  a  good  fire;  suppose  we  hang  him  up  to 
dry  before  it,"  said  old  Mr.  Dinsmore  with  a  grim 
smile. 

"His  clothes,  rather;  rolling  him  up  in  cloaks 
and  shawls  in  the  meantime,"  suggested  Herbert's 
grandmother.  "  Let  us  ladies  go  back  to  the  lawn, 
and  leave  his  uncle  to  oversee  the  business." 

Herbert  had  spoiled  his  holiday  so  far  as  the 
remainder  of  the  visit  to  this  old  estate  was  con- 
cerned: he  could  not  join  the  others  at  the  feast, 
presently  spread  under  the  trees  on  the  lawn,  or 
in  the  sports  that  followed;  but  had  to  pass  the 
time  lying  idly  on  a  pallet  beside  the  fire,  with 
nothing  to  entertain  him  but  his  own  thoughts,  and 
watching  the  servants  until,  their  work  done,  they 
too  wandered  away  in  search  of  amusement. 

Most  of  the  afternoon  was  spent  by  the  gentlemen 
in  fishing  in  that  same  stream  into  which  Herbert's 
folly  and  self-conceit  had  plunged  him. 

Eddie  had  his  own  little  fishing-rod,  and  with  it 
in  his  hand  sat  on  a  log  beside  his  father,  a  little 
apart  from  the  rest,  patiently  awaiting  for  the  fish 
to  bite.    Mr.  Travilla  had  thrown  several  out  upon 


346  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

the  grass,  but  Eddie's  bait  did  not  seem  to  attract 
a  single  one. 

He  began  to  grow  weary  of  sitting  still  and  silent, 
and  creeping  closer  to  his  father  whispered,  "  Papa, 
I'm  tired,  and  I  want  to  ask  you  something.  Do 
you  think  the  fish  will  hear  and  be  scared  if  I  speak 
low?" 

"Perhaps  not;  you  may  try  it  if  you  like,"  re- 
turned Mr.  Travilla,  looking  somewhat  amused. 

"  Thank  you,  papa.  Well,  Herbert  said  nobody 
but  a  coward  would  be  afraid  to  go  on  that  bridge. 
Do  you  think  he  was  right,  papa?" 

"No,  my  boy;  but  if  you  had  gone  upon  it  to 
avoid  being  laughed  at  or  called  a  coward,  I  should 
say  you  showed  a  great  lack  of  true  courage.  He 
is  a  brave  man  or  boy  who  dares  to  do  right  without 
regard  to  consequences." 

"  But,  papa,  if  you'd  been  there,  and  said  I  might 
if  I  wanted  to?" 

"Hardly  a  supposable  case,  my  son." 

"Well,  if  I'd  been  a  man  and  could  do  as  I 
chose?" 

"Men  have  no  more  right  to  do  as  they  please 
than  boys;  they  must  obey  God.  If  his  will  is  theirs, 
they  may  do  as  they  please,  just  as  you  may,  if  it 
is  your  pleasure  to  be  good  and  obedient." 

"Papa,  I  don't  understand.  Does  God  say  we 
must  not  go  into  dangerous  places?" 

"  He  says, '  Thou  shalt  not  kill ';  we  have  no  right 
to  kill  ourselves,  or  to  run  the  risk  of  doing  so 


ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD.  347 

merely  for  amusement,  or  to  be  considered  brave, 
or  dexterous." 

"  But  if  somebody  needs  us  to  do  it  to  save  them 
from  being  hurt  or  killed,  papa?  " 

"  Then  it  becomes  quite  a  different  matter;  it  is 
brave,  generous,  and  right  to  risk  our  own  life  or 
limbs  to  save  those  of  others." 

"  Then  I  may  do  it,  papa?  " 

"Yes,  my  son;  Jesus  laid  down  his  life  to  save 
others,  and  in  all  things  he  is  to  be  our  example." 

A  hand  was  laid  lightly  on  the  shoulder  of  each9 
and  a  sweet  voice  said,  "May  my  boy  heed  his 
father's  instructions  in  this  and  in  everything  else." 

"Wife!"  Mr.  Tra villa  said,  turning  to  look  up 
into  the  fair  face  bent  over  them. 

''  Mamma,  dear  mamma,  I  do  mean  to,"  said 
Eddie. 

"  Is  it  not  time  to  go  home?  "  she  asked.  "  The 
little  ones  are  growing  weary." 

"Yes,  the  sun  is  getting  low.3> 

In  a  few  moments  the  whole  party  had  re-em- 
barked; in  less  exuberant  spirits  than  in  the  morn- 
ing, yet  perhaps  not  less  happy;  little  disposed  to 
talk,  but  with  hearts  filled  with  a  quiet,  peaceful 
content. 

Viamede  was  reached  without  accident,  a  bounti- 
ful supper  awaiting  them  there  partaken  of  with 
keen  appetites,  and  the  little  ones  went  gladly  t® 
bed. 

Keturning   from  the  nursery  to   the   drawing- 


348  ELSIE'S  MOTHERHOOD. 

room,  Elsie  found  her  namesake  daughter  sitting 
apart  in  a  bay  window,  silently  gazing  out  over  the 
beautiful  landscape  sleeping  in  the  moonlight. 

She  looked  up  with  a  smile,  as  her  mother  took 
a  seat  by  her  side  and  passed  an  arm  about  her 
waist. 

"  Isn't  it  lovely,  mamma?  see  how  the  waters  of 
our  lakelet  shine  in  the  moonbeams  like  molten 
silver!  and  the  fields,  the  groves,  the  hills!  how 
charming  they  look  in  the  soft  light." 

"  Yes,  darling:  and  that  was  what  you  were  think- 
ing of,  sitting  here  alone  ?" 

"  Yes,  mamma;  and  of  how  good  God  is  to  us  to 
give  us  this  lovely  home  and  dear,  kind  father  and 
mother  to  take  care  of  us.  It  is  always  so  sweet 
to  come  back  to  my  home  when  I've  been  away. 
I  was  enjoying  it  all  the  way  coming  in  the  boat 
to-night;  that,  and  thinking  of  the  glad  time  when 
we  shall  all  be  gathered  into  the  lovelier  home  Jesus 
is  preparing  for  us." 

"  God  grant  we  may! "  said  the  mother,  with 
emotion,  "it  is  my  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to 
God  for  all  my  dear  ones,  especially  my  children. 
'Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have 
entered  into  the  heart  of  man,  the  things  which 
God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him.'  * 


IMP 


m 


■ 


r  11 

msmm 


wSEk 

w 


wmm 


